Firefighters cook up "Great Bowls of Fire"

Bragging rights, an embroidered sweatshirt, gift certificates, and most importantly, the Golden Spoon were at stake for firefighters early Tuesday night during the 15th annual chili cook off and Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours.

"You get bragging rights," explained Fire Inspector John Bzudsek, who has entered the competition several times. "A lot of guys love to cook. What better way to brag about your cooking than knowing you won something from it."

The aroma of hot peppers, cinnamon, other spices and secret ingredients bubbled from 12 crock pots from each of the entries in the contest at Lake Zurich Fire and Rescue Department Station No. 1.  The firefighters bantered with and closely watched for the reactions of the chili tasters who sampled and voted on their offerings.

The interior of the firehouse was transformed into a dining area with flower centerpieces on each table. Tables bordering the dining area contained the "Great Bowls of Fire" contestants' entries. Some chilis were mild, others sweet and then there were the hot.

The event also includes public education information about fire safety. Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea came up with the idea years ago. He's entered his chili recipes in the competition three times, but not as part of the competition. This year, he made a vegetarian chili especially for one of the Chamber members.

"I was always active in the Chamber and they kept asking me when I was going to have them over for some red hot firehouse chili," Mastandrea said.  So, when the Chamber inquired about the fire department hosting a business after hours, it became a chili tasting and soon after a competition between firehouse cooks.

There is an entire wall of framed certificates inside the hallway of the fire station that lists the names of past participants. Back in 1995, the award for the winning recipe, as judged by the attendees of the business after hours, was originally the Golden Spatula, but changed to the more appropriate Golden Spoon.

An hour-and-a-half after the tasters judged the chilis on aroma, color, consistency, taste and aftertaste, the ballots were tallied. Clayton Booth's "Lazy Man Chili," as he calls it, was deemed the winning recipe that a friend told him about.

He got into the competition because he was "just looking to be a part of the fire department," said Booth, who was sworn in as a member of the department less than a month ago.

Firefighter Don Fischer, who had never made chili before, took second place. When making the chili, he told his wife what he intended to put into it and she didn't think it was quite right. So, he immediately texted her the results when his name was announced.

Third place was a tie between firefighter Pete Przybysz and Lieutenant Mickey Wenzel. Wenzel is a three-time winner of the competition.

"I can make a good batch and lose and make a terrible batch and win," he said. "It's a fun event. A good showing for the fire department. That's what it's all about."

The other contestants were: Bonnie Wiedner, Patti Schlick, Jeff Wasco, John Bzdusek, Tomm Grossman, the fire department's Explorers Post and the Fire Prevention Bureau.

The firefighters originally purchased all the ingredients and other items necessary for the contest, said Mastandrea. The cook off has become so popular that it now has sponsorship from local businesses.

In additioin to entering the competition, Bzdusek helps gather prizes from the business sponsors. They include: Whole Foods, Gianni's Café, Biaggi's, Chipotle, Pot Belly's, Sports Clips, Lake Zurich Florist, Cedar Hill Nursery and Hawthorne Gardens.