Best Chili in the world

LA County Fire Station 158 in Gardena was the winner of the Chili Cook-Off Amateur Division at the Oct. 16 coty of gardena harvest Festival. From left are firefighters Evan Atzmiller and Cunningham, Council Rodney Tanaka, LAFD heavy driver Anthony Dixon, Councilman Art Kaskanian, Mayor Tasha Cerda, Capt. Jamie Hernandez (head cook) and firefighter Jose Zavala. Hernandez's winning recipe sealed the deal for Station 158.
At right are chili samples from Brandyn
Powell of “Oh My Burger,” were served
to Harvest Festival attendees. The other
division of competition in the chili cook-off
was for amateur cooks.
Photos by Gary Kohatsu
Chef Q of Chefism is all smiles as he prepares to serve chili samples from
his special recipe. He competed in the Professional Competition which
was won by Cherrystones. The inaugural chili cook-off was part of the
Harvest Festival, which replaced the city’s Heritage Fest.
Los Angeles Fire Department heavy driver Anthony Dixon shows his style while cooking his best chili. The
competition in the amateur division included his fellow firefighters from Station 158.
Below, student Leilani Dexter, 17, was
among the many who sampled chili and
voted for their favorites. Winners received
a trophy and a gift card. Serving as judges
were Gardena police Chief Mike Saffell and
his wife, and Gardena City Manager Clint
Osorio.
Returning to the steps of the Nakaoka Community Center for a group photo are members of Fire House 158. Capt. Jamie Hernandez, leads fire personnel Atzmiller, Zavala and Cunningham. Trailing is Anthony Dixon, who was also a chili competitor competitor in the amateur division. Hernandez carries the trophy and artwork to signify his reign as best chili cook in the station.
At right, LA County Fire Station
158 in Gardena won the Amateur
Chili Division at the Harvest
Fest. Councilman Art Kaskanian
congratulates the team, including
firefighter Jose Zavala. Others
are Capt. Jaime Hernandez (with
trophy), Battalion Chief Erich
Goetz (partially obscured) and
firefighter Evan Atzmiller.