By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
Representatives of two local fire departments and members of an area ambulance service competed in the second annual Chili Cook-Off Friday night in downtown Salisbury.
It was a three-way tie. Well, sort of.
The chili cooked and served by representatives of the Salisbury Fire Department was honored for having the best flavor. That prepared by the Granite Quarry Fire Department was named Most Original. And the chili prepared by representatives of NuCare Ambulance Service took home the title of Hottest.
The event was sponsored by the Salisbury Fire Department though all proceeds went to the Rowan County United Way Assistance Fund, intended to help those who have been displaced from their jobs or are otherwise in dire financial need.
The three participating agencies each paid $35 for the opportunity for their chili to be included in the cook-off. Bowls sold for $3 each and Cheerwine products (also donated) went for 75 cents each.
Judges for the grand event were Dean Fields, Salisbury’s postmaster; Randy Hemann, executive director of Downtown Salisbury Inc.; and Kathy Chaffin, world-renown reporter for the Salisbury Post.
Exactly how they were selected, well, that was a question that perplexed even the judges.
“I do have culinary skills,” Hemann said. “I worked at Western Steer in college. That was as good as it gets.”
The cook-off was held as part of downtown Salisbury’s Earth Day celebration, where stores remained open late, bands played and people generally had a good time. David Morris of the Salisbury Fire Department said the cook-off was intended to be held as part of the downtown’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration last month.
But inclement weather bumped the event back to Friday.
“The weather sort of bummed us out,” Morris admitted.
Friday, however, couldn’t have been more picture-perfect, with clear skies and warm temperatures.
“This is just a chance for us to give back to the community in such desperate economic times,” Morris said.
Members of the various departments that prepared the chili said they enjoyed the preparation.
Morris said Chipper Thomas prepared the chili that was served by members of the Salisbury Fire Department.
“I can’t give away his secret recipe,” Morris said, laughing as he spoke.
Rob Pitthan of the Granite Quarry Fire Department prepared that agency’s chili. “Just a little bit of this, a little bit of that,” he said when asked what was included.
Several members of the NuCare Ambulance Service prepared their chili.
“We all pitched in,” said Michael Damba, one of the service’s employees.