Fort Myers Fire Dept. claims Chili Challenge bragging rights

2024 Chili Challenge Champions, City of Fort Myers Fire Department, accepting the bragging rights and the trophy. CARLIE ADMIRE / FLORIDA WEEKLY

The annual Lee County Chili Challenge got to cooking for the fifth year, bringing together first responders to raise money for local veterans and military families.

Fire, EMS, police and military teams stirred the pot with homemade chili to earn the title of challenge winner. They also raised money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Injured Warriors Fund of Florida and Collier-Lee Honor Flight.

“While the competition is spicy, we know we have a great recipe to benefit and honor the men and women who have fought to protect and serve our nation,” said event founder Jason Dysarczyk.

Dysarczyk is a battalion chief with South Trail Fire and Rescue and served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps from 1995 to 2003.

The annual Chili Challenge took place at Stu’s Motorcycle off Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers.

“It’s not a cook-off, it’s a challenge,” said Dysarczky, who tagged that on the event T-shirts.

Twelve teams whipped up pots of chili. The recipes ranged from classic, spicy jalapeno and creamy white chicken. A panel of 20 tasters judged each chili anonymously and points were added to find the winning team.

Marine Corps League Paul E Ison Det. #60 members dishing out their Devil Dog Chili to tasters.

The biggest award and best bragging rights go to the Fort Myers Fire Department. They were named the Chili Champions of 2024.

The Sanibel Fire District won The Peoples’ Choice Award for the second year in a row.

“The best part is the bragging rights for a year. It is a lot of fun for us all to come together, joke around and smack-talk each team during the challenge,” laughed Deryck Bjerke of City of Fort Myers Fire Department, Station 15.

The champions win a red trophy decked out in badges and silver spoons to keep on their location until the next challenge.

“Ours had smoked beef and Italian sausage in it. We used the drippings into the chili as well. We never measure anything; it is all done by taste-testing, and we change it up each year,” said Bjerke. “We have entered every year and came in in first place two other years, 2020 and 2022. We came to win!”

Fort Myers Fire Department cooked five gallons of chili and went through the entire pot during the challenge.

“Shout-out to my wife, who I volunteered as my sous chef,” he laughed. “She was in charge of buying all the supplies and chopped up everything at night.”

For $10 donations, tasters were able to sample the competing chilis and an opportunity to win $20,000 worth in prize drawing along with other refreshments including beer pours from Millennial Brewing. Raffled items included a two-night stay at Coconut Point Hyatt Resort & Spa, $250 worth of tattooing at Altered Tattoo, premium cigars along with fishing trips and grill sets.

“It is for a great cause, and I love coming out and celebrating with my family and co-workers,” said Bjerke.

The annual Lee Chili Challenge was more than just a fun day. It also helped good causes.

The Collier-Lee Honor Flight sends WWII veterans to Washington, D.C., for a day, visiting all the monuments and memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. Their 26th mission is scheduled for April 27.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created in honor of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who ran through the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel on Sept. 11 in full gear to help after the terror attacks. The foundation was created in his memory and serves to provide mortgage-free homes for injured first responders and families of those who lost loved-ones in acts of duty.

Dysarczk said he’s already planning for next year’s chili cook off. ¦

The post Fort Myers Fire Dept. claims Chili Challenge bragging rights first appeared on Fort Myers Florida Weekly .