Jarrett and Mark Jackson entered “Burning Down the House.” (Photo: Geisel)

The Five-Alarm Chili-Cook-off Gateway fundraiser at The Bistro on March 25 attracted 18 competitors and many hungry locals.

Cook-off judges Matthew Lehman, Hap Hazard and Betty Kittle declared “Three-Alarm Texas Red” entered by MLFD Chief Brent Harper and created by MLFD firefighter Bryce Freeman the Cook-Off winner. Second place went to “Keg Kettle Chili” from Curt and Theresa Dessert. A tie for third between MLPD Sgt.Paul Robles’ entry, “Fire in the Hole”, and Z-Bar Ranch’s “Ghost Chili” was broken in a taste-off with Robles declared the winner by one point.

Libby Henry’s “Smokehouse Chili” won the “People’s Choice” award.

Thanks to all the entrants including Jarrett and Mark Jackson (“Burning Down the House”), Diane Eagle (“Flyin High”), Elizabeth Tenney (“Slow Lava”), Sharon Harvey (“Hot Mama’s Chili”), Sheriff Rick Scholl (“Four Star Chili”), Juliana Olinka (“Hot Chick’n Chili”, Andrew Socitinski (“Mammoth Shell”), Woody White (“Chill-A-Mignon”), Rick Phelps (“Chile, Chilli, Chili”), Bryce Freeman (“Bayou Blaster”), Flossie Coulter (“Jazzy Hot”), and Dan Watson (“Chili Feo”).