WORCESTER, Mass. - Dozens of current and former Worcester firefighters gathered at Polar Park on Tuesday for the Paragus Firehouse Cookoff, putting their culinary skills to the test for a good cause.
The annual event raises money for the Worcester Firefighters 6K and DetecTogether, an organization working to promote awareness and availability of early cancer detection tools.
Steve Favulli, a retired firefighter who spent 32 years with the department, said it’s an important effort.
“Especially now with the way guys are coming down with prostate cancer and different forms of cancer,” Favulli said. “They don’t do enough out there for the fire and the police.”
Tim Foley, a fire captain who had won the competition the previous two years, echoed his sentiments.
“Cancer is one of the big killers of firefighters,” Foley said. “We can raise money for awareness, help guys out and maybe catch it with early detection.”
Dishes at the cookoff included coconut curry chicken sandwiches, steak and cheese tortellini, smoked pilgrim sandwiches and roughly a dozen other creations.
Franklin Street Firehouse Group 1 came away victorious, cooking up Southern fried chicken and cornbread.
Lisa Young, senior director of communications and engagement for DetecTogether, said the event managed to raise $15,000. She added it will go a long way toward her organization’s mission.
“Oftentimes people don’t realize that the individual has so much power in early detection,” Young said. “You’re the first one to experience those signs, your body gives you warning signs. We teach people those common early warning signs to ensure that people are taking action early and consulting with healthcare professionals.”
The annual Worcester Firefighters 6K, meanwhile, honors the Worcester Six. Paul Brotherton, Jerry Lucey, Tim Jackson, Tom Spencer, Jay Lyons and Joe McGuirk died fighting the Worcester Cold Storage fire on December 3, 1999.
It also honors three other members who died in the line of duty since that day: Jon Davies, Chris Roy and Jason Menard.