Firefighters' Chili Cook-Off at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood April 30

It will be a firehouse chili throw-down in the streets of West Hollywood come Saturday, April 30, when city officials join with KTTV Fox 11 News anchor, Christine Devine and George Gray, former host of NBC’s “Weakest Link”, along with ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” parking lot security guard, Guillermo Rodriguez, syndicated radio talk show host, Karel, and travel writer, Andrea Rademan, get together to judge the best in firehouse chili at Barney’s Beanery 5-Alarm Firefighters’ Chili Cook-Off, Saturday, April 30, from noon to 4 p.m.


As part of Barney’s ongoing 90th anniversary celebration, the City of West Hollywood has closed off the street in front of the popular roadhouse for a chili competition involving off-duty firefighters from the LA County, LA City, Pasadena and Burbank Departments. The competition is co-sponsored by Barney’s Beanery, the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the competition will benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.


Off-duty firefighters from Southland fire departments will be serving up their favorite firehouse chili recipes in hopes of winning the coveted first place prize: having their chili served at all five Barney’s Beaneries for 90 days as part of the anniversary celebration.


On tap that day will be live band “The Gs” performing between fire prevention demonstrations. There is also a suggested donation of $10 for the opportunity to taste chili entries and weigh in on the “People’s Choice” award vote. Proceeds will go to provide services to those who have been affected by a burn injury.


Pop-A-Shot Challenge - Beat the guy who beat Kobe!


Chili tasters can also try to best last year’s “Pop-A-Shot” champion Ricardo Reyes, a busboy at Barney’s who gained fame on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” primetime specials during last year’s NBA finals when the 41-year-old busboy and Pop-A-Shot “phenom” went up against Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Lamar Odom and Charles Barkley, soundly beating each of them in the popular bar basketball game of hoops.


“This chili cook-off not only marks our 90-year milestone of serving up our world famous chili, but also acknowledges Barney’s long standing relationship with all of the firefighters over the years. We salute and thank them for their courage in being our first responders in times of need,” said co-owner David Houston.


The Chili Cook-off will begin with firefighters bringing in their chili fixings in the morning, and the actual tastings and judging taking place at noon. The original Barney’s Beanery is located at 8447 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif. 90069. For more information, visit www.barneysbeanery.com, follow Barney’s on Twitter @barneysbeanery, friend us at facebook.com/bbeanery.