Cook-offs between some San Diego-area fire departments started with a chili contest in Imperial Beach in 2011. That year firefighter Jason Bingham from Viejas Casino took first place, followed by Jason Bell of Imperial Beach.
Bingham also took first place in a peanut butter inspired cook-off in 2011 and Alpine Fire Department took first place honors in 2012 for cooking with a citrus ingredient.
More than 120 people packed the San Diego County Library, Imperial Beach branch Wednesday for the annual cook-off, again asking people to choose their favorite chili.
On a scale of 1-10, attendees judged each chili in four categories: aroma, flavor and taste, consistency and color. A fire safety presentation was given while people sampled the chili and cast votes.
"It was all really good chili. There was a wide spectrum" said librarian June Engel. Actual vote tallies aren't released, but "it was really close. There wasn't a whole lot of difference between first and second place."
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As he did in 2011, Jason Bell of the Imperial Beach Fire Department took second place.
"It's friendly competition," he said. "I mean, yeah, you want to win on your home turf, but the guys that have been doing the events at all the different libraries, it's good to see each other again cause I don't get out to Viejas or Sycuan that often so its a good little reunion," he said.
The purpose of the event, which was first organized by Bell, Engel and Alpine library staff in 2011, is to promote fire safety and the library.
"Obviously we're all competitive and we want to win but we're all there to support the goal and that's summer reading and to get the kids involved in the libraries activities," Bell said.
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