By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – What do the best chili and barbecue in Chelsea taste like?

Residents will have the chance to find out at the 2016 Fire at the Foothills BBQ and Chili Cook-Off on April 30.

Teams will compete for the grand champion title in separate chili and barbecue cook-offs at the event, which is an annual fundraiser for Chelsea Fire and Rescue’s fire safety program featuring Hero the Dalmatian and the Chelsea Kiwanis Club.

This year’s barbecue cook-off will include a new Boston butt category, along with the ribs and chicken categories added last year.

The deadline for teams to enter the cook-offs is Friday, April 15. Forms are available on the Fire at the Foothills BBQ & Chili Cook-Off Facebook page and on the Chelsea Kiwanis Club website, Chelseakiwanis.org.

The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Tractor Supply in Chelsea. It is open to the public. Admission is free, and donations at the gate are welcome.

“It’s a big event,” Kiwanis Club member and event organizer Scott Weygand said, noting proceeds benefit the club’s scholarships and local charities the club supports, along with the Fire Department’s “Our Firehouse Dog – Hero” program, which allows firefighters to take Hero to schools and public events to share fire safety lessons with children.

The event was formed nearly six years ago after Weygand and Dr. Justin Fogo had a friendly argument about who had the best chili recipe.

Fire at the Foothills is a sanctioned KCBS and Alabama BBQ Association Back Yard Event. As an Alabama BBQ Association State Championship Qualifying Event, points, will be awarded toward the 2016 Governor’s Cup Points Chase.

Total prize money for the event is $2,500. No entries will be allowed after April 15.

The event will also include live music, a children’s play area and chili and barbecue tastings.

For more information, visit the Fire at the Foothills BBQ & Chili Cook-Off Facebook page.