AKRON, Ohio – Northeast Ohio took on the heat today – a bowl full of it.
More than 250 people got their grub on at the seventh annual Firefighters Chili Challenge in downtown Akron.
City departments competed for best bowl in the house, but the big winner was Akron Children’s Hospital. The cook-off raised $1,000 for the hospital’s burn unit. Since 2007, the contest has raised more than $12,500 for charity.
“It’s a great event. It’s a very good lunch, and it’s supporting a really good cause,” said city employee David Barnhardt.
“The fire department’s is going to be hard to beat,” he continued. “They’re very good, but they’re all unique, they’re very good, they all have their own little taste to them, so I’m anxious to try the rest of them.”
The Judges Choice Award went to the City of Akron personnel department, and the fire department won the People’s Choice Award.
“It’s very flattering people love our chili,” said firefighter Mike Kranek.
Kranek cooked the department’s winner and says there’s one key ingredient for an excellent bowl.
“The secret to a good chili? I actually made it on Wednesday,” he said. “I let it sit and let the flavors mesh.”