Chili cook-off: Police vs. firefighters

The trash-talking has begun for the Federal Way Farmers Market’s inaugural Chili Cook-off, which runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.

Teams from the Federal Way Police Department and South King Fire and Rescue will compete to make the best chili. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Special Olympics and South King Firefighters Foundation.

Gordie Olson, battalion chief with SKFR, touted his team’s hot sausage chili while “taunting” police: “It shouldn’t be much of a challenge. Firefighters are obviously better cooks than cops.”

Firefighter Mike Lawson and officer Stacy Eckert said their chili recipes were classified. Eckert said her team will rely on a “secret ingredient,” which has something to do with garlic. Tom Batten, facilities director for fire station 68, said his team will prepare a traditional chili from a recipe that “I’ve been playing with for 35 years.” Batten said the charity chili cook-off should be an annual event, and even suggested the police might also like a “doughnut cook-off.”

Eckert noted she had no “G-rated” retorts.

Get your tickets

The Federal Way Farmers Market will host a chili cook-off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Commons mall parking lot. Federal Way police and South King Fire and Rescue firefighters will face off in a battle to make the best chili. Tickets are $10 and include chili, corn bread, a drink and dessert. All proceeds benefit South King Firefighters Foundation as well as the Special Olympics. The event will include live entertainment. For advance tickets, call Janice Siebenaler at (253) 529-7021 or Marty Markey at (253) 926-5925.

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