Chili-Cooking Firefighters Invited To Compete In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Do you cook a chili so hot even the devil thinks it's hot? Do you make a chili so flavorful that it's gone in a whisper?

If you're a member of a fire department who also makes a mean chili, the Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Department is inviting you to compete in its annual Firefighter Chili Cook-Off.

The chili competition is the department's biggest fundraiser.

The competition is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, and is held at the fire department, 40 Clayton Ave. in Toms River. Setup begins at 1 p.m. and the tasting and voting runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The firefighter whose chili receives the most votes wins $100, a trophy and bragging rights. Second place receives $75 and third receives $50. There is no entry fee to compete.

If you want to take part in the voting, chili tasting sets cost $7 each and include a tasting cup and spoon for unlimited samples, two voting tickets and two free-drink tickets; soda and water will be available, as well as beer for those 21 or older. Additional beverages can be purchased.

To register your chili for the contest, click here. You must register by Feb. 11.

Chili, by Jake Przespo, via Flickr under Creative Commons license