- December 4, 2025
Cmdr. Bernie Woodward and Commander Kenny Goncalves represent the FCSO. Photo by Abbie Pace
Suzie Johnston, David Alfin, Paul Chestnut, Bob Gamblain and Mike Crave taste the chili. Photo by Abbie Pace
Flagler Woman's Club members Terri Klemstine and Eileen Cederberg work the raffle table. Photo by Abbie Pace
The Flagler Woman’s Club presented its Guns and Hoses Chili Challenge on Jan. 28 in Veterans Park. Photo by Abbie Pace
Lt. Armando Castaneda represents the Flagler County Fire Department. Photo by Abbie Pace
Flagler County Fire Department L.t Armando Castaneda serves Candy Cornelssen, a member of the Flagler Woman's Club. Photo by Abbie Pace
Retired domestic violence EMT and Flagler Woman's Club member Linda McCann with husband, Robert McCann. Photo by Abbie Pace
Chief Matt Doughney represents the Flagler Beach Police Department. Photo by Abbie Pace
Donna Reinert, a member of the Flagler Woman's Club, works the bake sale. Photo by Abbie Pace
Cmdr. Scott Vedder, Cpl. Troy Cavas, Sgt. Rob Tarczewski and Deputy Robin Towns represent the FCSO K9 Unit. Photo by Abbie Pace
Co-second vice president of the Flagler Woman’s Club Mary Louk; Robert McCann with his wife, Linda McCann; and Flagler Woman’s Club President Barbara Macready. Photo by Abbie Pace
Josh Brannon with father Chief David Brannon and Sergeant Shane Groth represents the Bunnell Police Department. Photo by Abbie Pace
Lt. Kyle Oberst and EMT David Vena represent the Flagler Beach Fire Department. Photo by Abbie Pace
The Flagler Woman’s Club presented its Guns and Hoses Chili Challenge in Veterans Park on Jan. 28. Flagler County police and fire departments participated in the challenge.
“It’s perfect weather for the chili cook-off — I guess Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney ordered it from Amazon Prime,” Flagler Beach City Manager William Whitson joked.
The Flagler Beach Fire Department, Flagler Beach Police Department, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, FCSO K9 Unit, Flagler County Fire Department, Bunnell Police Department provided their own pots of chili to be tasted, as did Flagler Woman’s Club member Linda McCann, a retired domestic violence EMT.
“We have not had a chili challenge since COVID, so we’re super excited today,” said Deborah Phillips, Flagler Beach city commissioner and board member of the Flagler Woman’s Club.
Winners of the challenge were determined through a fan favorite vote, as well as a judge’s choice category.
The judges were Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston; Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin; Beach Belly Bob’s Sandwich Shop owner Bob Gamblain; Crave’s Coastal Kitchen and Cocktails restaurant owner Mike Crave; and Paul Chestnut, the co-owner of Tortugas Florida Kitchen and Bar and Crave’s Coastal Kitchen and Cocktails.
Judges participated in a blind taste test and voted on their favorite cups of chili. The fan favorite vote consisted of those who purchased a $10 wristband. They were provided with cups of chili at each station.
After tasting each chili, they were asked to write their favorite on a piece of paper that was then placed in a jar.
“It’s our way to celebrate men and women that are first responders, because they come to our rescue when our life goes sideways,” said Mary Louk, co-second vice president of the Flagler Woman’s Club and board member of Flagler Strong.
