This past Saturday, we competed in the 8th Annual Fire in the Park Chili Cook-off to Cure in Orlando, Florida. Every year, my company participates in the competition, and Brett volunteers as the head chef for our team. It’s usually pretty cold during the event, and this time it may have been the coldest ever, coming in at around 50 degrees at the high. But it made for the perfect day for a Florida chilli cook-off.
Not only did we compete in the chili cook-off, but our team rallied together to participate in the fundraising competition as well. We sold items at our booth like to raise money for AdventHealth for Children Pediatric Oncology—the main reason for this amazing event.
Florida Chili Cook-off Team
Thankfully the sun was shining so brightly, with not a cloud in the sky. And that made the cold not so bad. Especially with a spoonful of chili just an inch away.
My brother has a competitive spirit and loves to cook, so he came up from South Florida to be a part of the fun. And he smoked a delicious brisket to the top off our chili—one of our special ingredients.
The guys got to the park super early to prep and start cooking the chili right on site. And Ariana and I met them there after I got the kids settled at home with my parents. We finished setting up the booth and got ready to serve to the hungry patrons.
Let the Competition Begin
When it was time to serve, we had such an amazing team helping with everything. We figured out the assembly line so we could serve hot and fresh chili every time, with all the toppings—smoked brisket, fritos and a homemade cilantro crema. It was an impressive team effort.
We were rocking Brett’s Rockin’ Chili and everyone knew exactly what to do, from refilling the crockpots with fresh chili, adding the toppings, selling items and cheering on the team.
It was so amazing every time someone voted for our chili as their favorite by giving us their token they received as part of the entry fee.
Everyone would cheer and make noise, and it made the experience so much fun!
We were almost out of brisket when they came around to collect our tokens and money raised. But more and more people kept coming back to our booth to give us their tokens. So we had to run up several times to the judges to hand them in, which was such a rush of adrenaline.
Then, it was time to head down to the stage as a team and wait for the awards ceremony in anxious anticipation.
Awards Ceremony
When they called our name for second place in fundraising, we were thrilled! We all went up to accept our trophy from Knightro and could not stop smiling.
After they announced the judges top three picks for Red Chili and Homestyle Chili, neither of which we placed, we weren’t sure if we’d place for People’s Choice—which was best overall chili voted by all the attendees of the event.
Finally, they called the winner of First Place People’s Choice… and we were all so surprised and honored to hear, “Brett’s Rockin’ Chili!”
What an amazing feeling it was to win First Place! Now we must know how Tom Brady feels when he wins the Super Bowl. All that hard work and team work that makes it happen.
My brother is the best. When he saw the first place trophy, looking like a perfect vessel for a Busch Light, he decided to chug one out of the trophy. It was hilarious and the perfect ending to the perfect Florida chili cookoff.
Follow the Fire in the Park Chili Cook Off to Cure on Facebook to learn more about the event, who it benefits, and updates for next year’s events. You know we’ll be there defending our First Place title!
Congrat!