ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than 100 people gathered at Fire Station 81 on Webb Bridge Road March 23 to sample chili and support public safety staff and their families.
The Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation hosted its chili cookoff from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Once an annual endeavor, the fundraiser took a pause around 2018, then fired up the stoves for the 2024 gathering.
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Alpharetta Public Safety Department programs and equipment, as well as assisting employees and their families who may be in need.
At last count, the cookoff has raised $5,300, but funds are still being tallied.
Police Lt. Andrew Splawn, who entered with his mother’s chili recipe, said the cookoff is all about helping public safety personnel get through tough times. While it was his first time participating, he said he hopes to get more involved.
The chili competition invited staff from the city’s Fire, Police and 911 departments and local businesses to present their best chili recipes. Police Department Accreditation Manager Katherine Fies said 22 teams participated this year.
Three belts were presented to the winning team in each category: people’s choice champion, public safety champion, and business or restaurant champion.
Guests voted for the people’s choice by presenting tickets to their favorite team, and the business and public safety best categories were chosen by a panel of judges, including Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard and City Councilman Dan Merkel.
Alpharetta restaurant AJ’s Home Cooking won the people’s choice vote, and judges selected Carl Black Chevrolet as business champion. The Fire Corps’ “Over the Top” chili was selected as public safety best.
The Public Safety Foundation invited chef Tina Cannon for a chili demonstration between noon and 1 p.m. Cannon won season one of…
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