Firefighters from across the region are trading in their hoses for spatulas this weekend, as the Cincinnati Fire Museum brings back its annual Firefighter Cook-Off. Guests downtown can sample dishes prepared by competing firefighters, cast a vote for their favorite, and sip beer and wine while a panel of local culinary names judges the contest for bragging rights.
The event is set for 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at 315 West Court Street, according to Cincinnati Magazine. Firefighters from across the region will compete for prizes, and attendees get to sample the dishes and vote for their favorites, per the same listing. The Cincinnati CityBeat reports the judging panel includes Sarah Dworak, head chef and owner of Sudova, Ryan Morgan, head baker and owner of Sixteen Bricks, and Anthony Castelli, affiliated with Court Street Kitchen.
Music, Art and a Packed Raffle Table
Beyond the tasting and voting, CityBeat notes the evening will feature live music from Aprina Johnson and artwork on display from Brent Keltch, identified as a Blink artist. Event organizers will also offer raffle prizes donated by local businesses and attractions, with named donors including Rhinegeist Brewery, Court Street Kitchen, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Zoo, according to Cincinnati Magazine's listing.
Ticket pricing varies between listings. Movers & Makers lists tickets at $75, or $130 for two, while Cincinnati Magazine's listing gives a range of $50 to $130 per person. The two sources do not agree on the exact structure, and nothing in the available listings resolves the discrepancy.
A Fundraiser Rooted in Firehouse Tradition
The cook-off format has deep roots at the museum. In earlier coverage of a chili-focused version of the event, Local 12 reported that crews from Cincinnati, Fort Thomas and Florence competed, with the station describing the annual celebration of firefighters' culinary talent as a fundraiser for the museum. A separate Local 12 segment featured Sarah Strickland from the fire museum and firefighter Gerald Belle discussing the food, the judges and how the event benefits the museum.
CityBeat quotes Strickland saying some of her best meals have been prepared by firefighters, and that the cook-off brings firefighters and the community together while raising money for the museum's fire safety education programs. The Cincinnati Fire Museum, which showcases firefighting history in the city, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to CityBeat's report. Cincinnati was home to the nation's first professional firefighting department, established in 1853, per the same report.
