San Diego Fire-Rescue Station No. 33 beat the San Diego Police Department's Northeastern Division by two votes to win the "Best Chili" title at Rancho Bernardo's annual Safety Fair.
The cook-off took place Saturday, Oct. 10. Attendees sampled both recipes and cast ballots. The winning chili was labeled "B," according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Robin Kaufman, president of the Rancho Bernardo Community Council, which organized the fair, said the contest was very close, with only a two-vote separation.
The rivalry has seesawed since the competition launched in 2022. Firefighters took the inaugural title that year, according to the Union-Tribune. Police officers won in 2023 and 2024. Station No. 33 reclaimed the crown in 2025 and held on this year.
Four firefighters posed with the trophy: Jack Doxtader, Scott Nicholson, Anthony Fernandez and Matthew Thoma.
