What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
When firefighters aren’t battling blazes across the Northwoods, they’re perfecting their chili recipes. The Nokomis Fire Station brought together departments from across the region for their 8th annual Chili Cookoff, an event that’s become as much about building brotherhood as it is about finding the best bowl of red.
Held on a cold Saturday afternoon, the cookoff transformed the firehouse into a bustling competition kitchen. Judges sampled entries ranging from mild comfort food to eye-watering hot varieties, scoring each on taste, texture, and aroma.
But ask Fire Chief Joe Jelinek what the event’s really about, and he’ll tell you it has little to do with bragging rights.
“This gives you the opportunity to maybe know them ahead of time, at least who they are, besides finding out on the fire ground who you’re working with,” Jelinek explained. In rural fire service, crews from different stations often meet for the first time at emergency scenes.
That unfamiliarity can complicate already dangerous situations. When minutes matter and lives hang in the balance, knowing the firefighter working beside you makes all the difference.
The cookoff solves that problem over steaming bowls and friendly competition. Departments that might only cross paths during mutual aid calls now share recipes, swap stories, and build the kind of trust that can’t be taught in training drills.
Beyond strengthening ties between departments, the event raised funds through a raffle featuring over 70 items. The proceeds didn’t stay in the firehouse, though.
Donations will benefit Kindship of Tomahawk, a nonprofit supporting children in need. “After all, kind of like I figure it’s our future so any help they can get, the greatest, that’s a good thing to invest in,” Jelinek said.
Additional funds will support three other organizations:
“We didn’t want to keep it all to ourselves,” the chief noted. “We wanted to pay it forward.”
This philosophy mirrors firefighter cookoff traditions nationwide, where camaraderie and charity take precedence over competition. Similar events in Milwaukee and across the country use chili to raise funds while strengthening the fire service community.
Competition remained fierce despite the friendly atmosphere. Some entries came loaded with creative toppings while others focused on pure spice, testing judges’ heat tolerance.
When scores were tallied, the Aspirus MedEvac team claimed first place in the mild chili category. Arbor Vitae Fire Department took top honors in the hot chili division, proving they can handle heat both in and out of burning buildings.
“Basically, try some chili out. See which firehouse has the best chili.” — Fire Chief Joe Jelinek
The judging process evaluated each entry across multiple categories, with scores ranging from 1 to 10. Texture matters as much as flavor — nobody wants watery chili or a bowl that resembles concrete.
Eight years ago, the Nokomis Fire Department started this tradition with a simple goal: bring people together. The event has grown steadily, drawing more departments and community supporters each year.
Any fire department can participate, even those from outside the Northwoods. That open invitation reflects the spirit of rural fire service, where mutual aid and cooperation aren’t just ideals — they’re necessities.
In a region where volunteer departments protect vast stretches of forest and scattered communities, these personal connections matter. When a structure fire requires multiple tankers or a wildland blaze threatens homes, firefighters need to work as one coordinated team.
The cookoff helps make that happen, one bowl at a time.
Those who missed this year’s event won’t have to wait long. The 9th annual cookoff will return next winter, offering another chance to sample Northwoods fire department chili and support local causes.
For participating firefighters, it’s already a date on the calendar. They’ll spend the next twelve months perfecting recipes, testing spice levels, and planning their entries.
Chief Jelinek encourages anyone interested — whether firefighter or civilian — to attend. The event welcomes the community with open arms and plenty of chili to go around.
In the Northwoods, where long winters bring people together and small communities depend on each other, events like this matter. They remind us that the folks who rush toward danger when we call 911 are neighbors first, building relationships that make everyone safer.
Ya know, that’s worth raising a spoon to.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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