Annual chili cook off stirs up a big crowd and some serious heat

NEW BERLIN (WITI) -- Fire and police officials faced some serious heat in New Berlin on Saturday, November 8th, for the annual chili cook off!

Teams of police cooks and fire cooks faced-off to see who has the best recipe.

All of the recipes were put up against a panel of 5 judges made up of police chiefs and leaders.

Tickets cost $8, and earned you unlimited chili! But there was also the coveted "people's choice award."

"Each individual chili taster can vote by dropping $1 into the chili team's coffers. The person with the most amount of money wins that people's choice," said John Finnegan, with the Milwaukee Fire & Police Pipes and Drums.

The fundraiser is for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums -- a bagpipe band that performs at law enforcement events and services. It helps cover equipment costs, the kilts alone cost $500 a piece!

They've played at more than 15 honor flights and even memorials.