The Dallas-Fort Worth community enjoyed some firehouse chili at the Fort Worth Firefighter’s Sixth Annual Chili Cook-off. The cook-off went from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on October 29 at General Worth Square, on 900 Main St. in Fort Worth.

The Dallas Express was on hand to taste-test some of the delicious chili recipes. We caught up with Robert Hazelwood of the Fort Worth fire department, who gave out samples of his appetizing mildly spicy red chili and his special homemade bean dip.

In total, the event featured more than 30 booths that served chili, with most of the booths representing Fort Worth fire stations, including others from surrounding cities across the metroplex.

“This event is to benefit the Fort Worth firefighter charities as a nonprofit set up by local professional firefighters of Fort Worth and that money is used to give back to the community,” said Clay Daugherty, who has been a firefighter for Fort Worth for 15 years, speaking to The Dallas Express.

Residents from Fort Worth and the rest of the metroplex were encouraged to bring their appetites and sample the entries. The Sixth Annual Fort Worth Firefighters Chili Cook-off featured some of the best pots of chili the community had ever tasted, according to some of the attendees.

Firefighter Chili Cook-Off | Image by Josh Carter/The Dallas Express

When asked what he liked most about these events, Daugherty told The Dallas Express that it is “the camaraderie of everyone, the fellowship of other firefighters you get to hang out with.”

Daugherty expressed that firefighters are not just a brotherhood but a family.

Admittance for the cook-off was free, and tickets were sold for chili and beverages, with the proceeds from the cook-off benefiting the Fort Worth firefighter charities.

The event held an awards ceremony that followed the cook-off, with awards for “Best Booth” and “Best Chili.”