Justin Pathman dishes out a sample of one of the chili entries Oct. 25 during the Lake Zurich Fire Department's annual chili cook-off. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media

Larry Bownman tries out the first entry in the Lake Zurich Fire Department's chili cook-off. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media

Fire trucks were moved outside Oct. 25 to make room for the Lake Zurich Fire Department's 12th annual chili cook-off. The chili cook-off also serves as a "Business After Hours" networking event. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media

Ruth an Miles Hoffman take a moment to savor the flavor in one of the chili samples Oct. 25 during the Lake Zurich Fire Department's chili cook-off. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media

Lake Zurich 10/24/12 Michael Olson dishes out a sample of one the chili's being judged during the chili cook-off among Lake Zurich firefighters, members of the fire rescue team and administrative staff.| Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media

Marika Schaefer (right to left) and Jeanne McNamara try samples of chili Oct. 25 during the Lake Zurich firefighters' chili cook-off. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media