ROCKLAND – For the sixth year, amateur and professional chefs gathered at Trackside Station in Rockland with their best chilies and chowders in an event to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and local families. The public was invited to taste and vote on the entries Feb. 19.

The event was organized by Rockland Professional Firefighters Local 1584 chapter of the International Association of Firefighters.

Event organizer Carl Anderson said they are going strong and lucky to still be here.

"I've seen the gambit of restaurants come and go," he said. "We are lucky enough to be here after six years, still doing this."

Anderson said there were more individual entries this year.

"The word seems to be getting around," he said. "The novice cooker really wants to get his hand in the cook-off. That's a good thing."

Anderson said he was looking to raise about $2,000 in two hours.

"It's tough for us to do a lot of fundraising throughout the year," he said. "If we can do something where we can get the community together, that's the goal; $2,000 in two hours."

The benefit raised $2,032 in just under two and a half hours.

Winner in the best chili category was Main Street Market of Rockland.

Winner of the best Chowder was Kathy’s Kitchen.

Best individual chowder was made by Archie Green.

Best individual chili was made by Chris and Maria Solorazano.

"My chili is what I call spicy, sweet," Maria Solorzano said. "The spice hits you and then the sweet hits you right after. It's all locally grown, sourced meats from local farms and I use a variety of meats. And I grow all my own herbs and spices in my garden."

Archie Green, winner in the individual chowder category, said: "You take some fish and you make a stock getting the flavor you want. Remove it from the pot and put some bacon in and cook it, then remove it. After that, it's some onions, potatoes and your stock. Put your fish on top and add some cream to it."