Hot chili a hit

By Don Fowler

Posted 9/26/18

By DON FOWLER When Lisa Pagano asked me to be one of the judges for the 3rd Annual Cranston Firehouse Chili Cookoff, I was both honored and excited. I was honored to join Rhode Island Magazine editor John Palumbo and Garden City representative Janice

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Hot chili a hit

(Cranston Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

THE JUDGES: At the 3rd Annual Cranston Firehouse Chili Cookoff at the Blue Moon Pub in Cranston, three judges – John Palumbo from RI Monthly, Janice Pascone from Garden City Center and Don Fowler from Beacon Communications – judged all six firehouse chilies and selected Station 5’s chili as the Judges Choice.

(Cranston Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

FOR A GREAT CAUSE: On Sept. 22, the 3rd Annual Cranston Firehouse Chili Cookoff was held at the Blue Moon Pub in Cranston. In addition to six stations of firehouse chili (made by the six fire department stations in Cranston), entertainment by comedians John Perrotta and Mike Murray highlighted the afternoon event. They are pictured with Adriana Pagano (widow of firefighter James Pagano) and Mayor Allan Fung.

(Cranston Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

THE WINNER IS: Lisa Pagano, President of the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation, presented this year’s Chili Cookoff Awards to Station 5 who won both the People’s Choice and Judges Choice Awards. Station 5 was the former fire station of the late James Pagano. Pictured with Lisa Pagano are head chef, Raymond Giguere and Steven Burgess.

(Cranston Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

Posted Friday, September 28, 2018 2:08 pm

By Don Fowler

When Lisa Pagano asked me to be one of the judges for the 3rd Annual Cranston Firehouse Chili Cookoff, I was both honored and excited.

I was honored to join Rhode Island Magazine editor John Palumbo and Garden City representative Janice Pascone to decide which of the six competing firehouses made the best chili.

And I was honored to participate in an event that raised money for the Lt. Jim Pagano Foundation, whose mission is to make charitable grants to individuals, groups and/or organizations that improve the quality of life for children in addition to fostering character building and a strong foundation for their future.

It was an exciting and inspiring Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of the Blue Moon Café, where over 400 people gathered to enjoy comedians Mike Murray and Lou Perrotta, remember Lt. Pagano’s legacy, raise money for a good cause, and eat some fantastic chili, prepared by the local fire stations.

All of the entrees were delicious, but one stood out as the winner. With the judges not knowing which station prepared the chili, they chose the Oaklawn Ave. Station 5 as their favorite, not knowing that it was Lt. Pagano’s station.

Participants were also asked to judge, and they proved the judges made the right choice by also picking Station 5 as the People’s Choice.