Manhattan Police, Fire To Duel In Chili Cook-Off, More Entries Sought

MANHATTAN, IL — There's plenty of smack talk flying in advance of a chili showdown between Manhattan police and fire departments Sunday.

Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold, whose recipe lost to Manhattan Fire Chief Steve Malone's last year by judges' vote, says his department fell victim to a scandal. Malone knows of no such thing.

"They cheated, of course," Wold said, calling his competitor "Cheat" Malone.

Both are looking forward to a rematch for a good cause. The Manhattan Chili Cookoff, to be held Sunday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gallagher's Pub, 160 E North St., will raise funds for the departments' respective causes: Illinois Special Olympics and Project Fire Buddies, a volunteer-led effort by local fire departments to show support for children battling critical illness.

In addition to the departments squaring off by the spoonful, there's a category for overall entries, to be judged by public tasting and vote. Five contestants have entered as of Thursday, with plenty of room for more, Wold and Malone said. It's free to enter, and free to taste. Taste-testers for the departments' will be picked from the crowd. Everyone else will sample public entries and cast votes. Anyone interested can still call (815)478-4408.

Both departments will be selling T-shirts for their causes, at $20 each. It's the second annual cook-off, with last year's raising $1,000 overall, to be split between the causes, Wold said. Shirts can be purchased at either department in advance, he added.

Contestants are encouraged to decorate their tables, Wold said. Last year's winner was Lucinda Neighbor, who decked out her space in red and silver.

"Two to three people went above and beyond," Wold said, of the decorating efforts.

Wold's recipe comes from Texas, he says. Pulled from a cookbook of 50 different recipes, he picked the won that has won the most contests. He topped off each bowl with homemade cornbread donuts—which he claims mysteriously appeared atop the fire department's samples given to judges.

Malone's winning recipe was home-grown among the department, straight from a firefighter. He'll change it up this year—"that way I can beat him with two different ones," he said—and doesn't want to give up his secret.

Wold thinks he might know what it is.

"Any time we have roadkill, he wants us to give him a call," Wold joked. "I don’t know if he’s using it for chili, or what."

The jabs are all in good fun, with a mission.

"We’re doing this for two great causes, as well as overall supporting local businesses," Malone said. "... It’s comical because the cops don’t know how to season anything unless they use sprinkles.

"And you can quote me on that."