In lieu of helmets, hoses, and axes, Fairfield County’s bravest will instead don aprons, barbecue tongs, and basting brushes when they compete in Fairway’s Firefighters Food Face-Off, (www.fairwaymarket.com) a grilling “throwdown” that will pit firefighters from Stamford, Darien and Ridgefield against one another to prove whose barbecue is best, at 12 noon on Saturday, June 25, 2011 in the parking lot of the Stamford store location – 699 Canal Street (Rain or Shine) at noon. The public is welcome to enjoy free samples of the firefighter’s cuisine, as well as music and giveaways.
The firefighters will compete to cook their tastiest ribs, beef burgers and turkey burgers. A panel of judges, Jodi Heilman, of the Stamford Patch Chris Preovolos of the Stamford Advocate, Lou Gorfain of CtBites, Ray Venezia, Fairway’s Master Butcher, Steve Jenkins, Fairway’s Cheesemonger, and Bobby Valentine, baseball great, ESPN analyst and Public Safety Director for Stamford, will determine the first place finisher basing their decisions on taste and originality.
The winning team will not only receive bragging rights but also a $500 gift card to shop for groceries for their firehouse and the opportunity to name the charity of their choice to benefit from a Fairway “Shopping Night” which the Stamford store will host on their behalf.
All other firehouses will win a $100 gift card to the store. Participating Firehouses are: Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 786, Stamford Volunteer Fire Departments, Darien Fire Department, Noroton Heights Fire Department and Ridgefield Fire Department, Local 1739.
Fairway has a long-standing commitment to firefighters. Its history of supporting fire departments in New York and New Jersey was exemplified in the months following September 11, 2001, when Fairway supplied food for local firehouses throughout the search and clean-up process. Fairway also offers firefighters in uniform a special shopping discount at each of its seven locations to show its support and thanks.
