Gallery: Highland Park Firefighters Top Deerfield in Chili Cook Off

Deerfield Bannockburn Firefighter Mike Patten and Fireman Frank Nardonarino from Highland Park both know how to prepare tasty chili according to the people sampling it at Whole Foods first annual Chili Cook Off Saturday in Deerfield.

“They’re very delicious,” Lise Dominique of Highland Park said after tasting the two recipes. “I don’t know yet,” she added when asked which one would get her vote.

In the end, 74 people chose Highland Park and 71 picked Deerfield-Bannockburn giving a catered Whole Foods meal to the Highland Park firefighters and a $500 check in their name to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.

Another voter, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield), claimed both recipes were excellent 10th Congressional District chili but made it clear voting was by secret ballot when asked his choice. “For those who love chili this is as good as it gets,” he said.

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