Westport Firefighters to Compete in Saturday Food Face-Off

By Caitlin Mazzola

Westport's bravest will compete for the first time in the Third Annual Fairway Firefighters Food Face-Off in Stamford on Saturday, exchanging their axes, hoses, and ladders for barbecue tongs, spatulas, and basting brushes. 

The grilling "throw-down" will pit several of Fairfield County's firehouses against one another to prove which company's barbecue skills are best. The cook-off begins at noon Saturday behind Stamford's Fairway Market (699 Canal Street), rain or shine. 

The winning firehouse will receive bragging rights as the best grillers in Fairfield County and a $500 gift card to the store, according to a release from Fairway Market. 

The first-place firehouse will also get to select the charity of its choice to benefit from a Fairway Market "Shopping Night," when 25 percent of sales will go to that charity. 

Participating firehouses besides Westport are returning champs Cos Cob, Noroton Heights, and Belltown. They will compete to cook their tastiest ribs, burgers, chicken, or vegetable skewers with ingredients donated by Fairway Market. All grillers must include a secret ingredient in their burgers, which will be announced right before the contest begins.

This year's distinguished judges for the Face-Off are Lou Gorfain of CT Bites, TJ Buzzeo of the Stamford  Daily Voice, JR Reiss of Streets of Stamford, and Dennis Bland, Fairway Market’s meat expert.

Fairway has a long-standing commitment to firefighters and continues to support these brave men and women with firehouse shopping discounts and unique community events at each of its 12 locations, according to the release. 

“Firefighters are famous for being terrific cooks and are justifiably proud of the firehouse cuisine they create,” Bill Sanford, president of Fairway Market, said. “We really enjoy shining the spotlight on them and their grilling expertise and giving the community a chance to meet and greet these local heroes. Plus, it is all done for a good cause, making the event so meaningful and important.”