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LBFD Chili Cook Off At The Rock Bottom Brewery 2009
By frhayes | March 18, 2009
LONG BEACH — More than $5,000 was expected to be raised by this year’s 13th annual Fire Chief Ale Chili Cook-off and Silent Auction fundraiser, held at Rock Bottom Brewery.
The fundraising began Feb. 19, when Long Beach Fire Chief Dave Ellis tapped the first keg. This year’s recipe was a lot hoppier than brews in the past, and had a smooth and slightly sweet finish.
In addition to the ale and Thursday night’s chili cook-off — which saw patrons sample 10 different recipes for a suggested $5 donation — the restaurant also held a silent auction with sports memorabilia, coffee gift sets, makeup and fine-dining opportunities.
“Who can pass on firefighters and beer?” said Sandra Diaz, a teacher in town for a convention.
“The last two were so spicy I might need some of those firefighters to come and rescue me,” she added with a laugh.
Money raised at the annual event is used to benefit the Fire Department’s regular charities through its Friends of the Firefighters organization, which includes LBFD Kids, Long Beach Junior Lifeguards and the Long Beach Fire Museum.
There’s also a little thing called bragging rights, which were earned by Long Beach Fire Station No. 6, located in the Port of Long Beach, this year.
Fire Capt. Tom Crewse said the winning recipe was similar to the chili served every year at the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade, but there were some slight tweaks that included hand roasting some of the chilies and the addition of Chorizo, a flavorful Mexican pork sausage.
The winning dish will be replicated and served at the restaurant and the winning station was given an entire keg of beer-not to be used while on duty, of course.
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