A little spice goes a long way: Chili Cook-Firefighter fundraiser Saturday in San Mateo

	Samantha Weigel / Daily Journal Provide firefighters from San Mateo Andrew Martinez, Sean and Joe Sims Rupena supply station 21 for the annual donations Chili Cook-Off in San Mateo Central Park this Saturday.

The public is invited to enjoy your palate with an ambitious group of firefighters compete for the chili fundraiser this year in San Mateo to win.

Nine firefighters of San Mateo County to spend Saturday in Central Park spread their best recipes to win the set and a jury. Both objectives are the coveted title of best tasting chili fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Firefighters from San Mateo, who started the cook-off, the defending champion of last year and will compete with the fire service in Foster City, Central County, San Bruno, Menlo Park, Belmont, Woodside San Francisco and Pacifica, San Mateo firefighter Sean said Sims.

The winners will be removed with a plaque and bragging rights on foot to serve the best tasting chili.

"So far, cooking chili recipe is somewhat dependent on the kitchen this year. There are only a few guys who are confident enough to what many do, as it is difficult good 40 liters chili chili flavor offer." Sims said. "But we have three or four guys in the division that they can pull off."

After working in San Mateo push for victory in the last year, Firefighter Joe Rupena provides the service again and helps chili cook this year.

"It's just the one for you. This is hard work, but I love to cook. Koch [pepper] almost every tour, so you have a lot of time, your recipe and get the taste that works." This Rupena. "Normally, scraping the bottom of the pot."

Cooking a large batch of chili enough to satisfy thousands of participants is around $ 1000, Firefighter Andrew San Mateo Martinez said.

This is the sixth year the Association of Fighters of San Mateo County Fire hosted the evening entertainment fills the local children MDA camp, awareness, to send medical care and to help find a cure for neuromuscular diseases.

"The fire brigade country in general, through, is one of the largest single donation to MDA organizations," Sims said. "Usually it comes with filling start fundraising, but we somehow looking for something else. ... Wanted a more community events."

The annual event raises about 15,000 to $ 20,000, $ 40,000 costs contribute weeklong summer camp, Martinez said.

Martinez said he took action after meeting some of the children with neuromuscular diseases. Many of them are like normal children with fully developed brain, but struggling with muscle function, which may leave in a wheelchair, Martinez said.

"I went to training camp and was arguably one of the best days I have," Martinez said.

Summer Camp in Sebastopol support children and gives parents a break to focus on other parts of the family, Martinez said.

"There may be children with other children with MDA. He tries to help them feel that they are normal," Martinez said. "It is a very sad disease."

With the support of the city parks and recreation departments and community firefighters are able to animate the park. The website will be live music, offer a child Zone with bouncy castle sheet, makeup water tank, Food and Drink, Sims said.

"It's a great location, able to bring a lot of people in the inner city. Especially if we get a few thousand people in the park," said Martinez.

Several restaurants also compete in their own category, Block 34, Whole Foods, Kingston Café, Steelhead Brewing Company, Three Bar Restaurant and food in Versailles complex comprises high floors.

In the categories of both the fire and the restoration, every organization has a chance to win the choice of the people and impress a group of local judges.

Decide this year, San Mateo Mayor Robert Ross, Councillor David Lim, two children with MDA and two local guides, who gets the prize, Sims said.

The registration fee is $ 10, can withstand taste for all samples, a free drink and a bowl of chili favorite to receive. The event is free for children. The support of the population range is obtained after the participants try as many recipes as you want and be your ticket to the department you want a bowl. Whatever the fire department collects as many tickets, he won over the crowd, Sims said.

The public act requires work and money to put on, but fortunately by the community, especially support the firefighters and cadets, Sims said.

"They are a great help, because there is a lot of people to run the event. Many firefighters and families of firefighters down, [they] are basically just made it happen," Sims said.

Even if someone is not a big fan of chili, Sims, said that although the event is sure to entertain.

"It's for a good cause to go for children up to the camp. There is also a break, you can simply relax in the garden, listening to good music," Sims said. "It's a great time with very high energy."

Sixth Annual Chili Cook-Off Firefighters Association of the city of San Mateo is 11: 00-17: 00 August Saturday 23 in Central Park, 50 East Fifth Avenue, San Mateo.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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