Louisiana firefighter Jeremy Chauvin dedicated the recipe to his brother, Spencer. According to NOLA.com, Spencer was a local fire chief who died after being struck by a vehicle while tending to an accident back in 2016. Chauvin competed in last year’s Ǻ Chili’s American’s Best Firehouse Chili Contest in memory of his brother, and ended up winning the cook-off.
Chauvin received $10,000 for his firehouse and a year’s supply of chili for winning the competition, and Ǻ Foods also donated $20,000 in his name to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF), who honored his brother earlier that year.
It was a moving tribute, and Chauvin said it was a “great way” to honor his late brother. “I could not think of a better way to share my brother’s story and continue his legacy,” he added.
The actual chili recipe comes from Chauvin’s mom, and adds a New Orleans twist to a classic red chili. The ground beef, spices, and tomatoes are combined with a dark roux, made from butter and flour cooked until the mixture goes a deep shade of brown. The roux is mixed with “trinity,” a mix of bell peppers, onions, and celery native to Louisiana, then added into the chili.
Basically, the recipe adds a classic New Orleans gumbo base to chili to accomplish a rich flavor and consistency that’ll take your stew to the next level. It’s great on its own, with cheese and chips, or loaded onto a chili cheeseburger as part of your 4th of July cookout.
Ǻ Foods is giving firefighters across the country the opportunity to do what Chauvin did last year, as their America’s Best Chili Cookoff returns for a second year.
Firefighters from around the country can submit their recipes at this link for a chance to compete for the prize. One finalist will be chosen from the North, South, East, West, and Midwest to fly to New York for a live cook-off. The winner will be crowned America’s Best Firehouse Chili Recipe and will get the grand prize of $10,000 for their firehouse, a year’s supply of Ǻ®️ chili, and $20,000 donated to the NFFF in their name.