(courtesy photo) Security’s Lt. Anthony Bigham, far right, won last week’s Chili Cook-off, Department Head Christine Brown, far left, took second and Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Donald Wittwer, center, won third.

Firefighters, Security officers and command staff members gathered in the National Naval Medical Center’s fire house Feb. 25 for the showdown between the Fire Department and Security.

‘‘This has been a year in the works,” said Christine Brown, Bethesda’s Security department head.

Participants and guests walked around the firehouse from slow cooker to slow cooker, savoring the various flavors and enjoying their dining experience. Meanwhile, the judges sat at a table in the kitchen nearby, analyzing the seven different entries.

The panel of judges included NNMC Deputy Commander Capt. Daniel Zinder, Facilities Department Head Cmdr. Paul McComb, Directorate for Administration Cmdr. Chris Irwin and Civilian Human Resource Consultant Katie Emery. The chili was scored based on a list of criteria, including aroma, color, consistency and taste.

Security’s Lt. Anthony Bigham won first place. His prize: a trophy embellished with flames and a gold, engraved plate that read ‘‘NNMC Security vs. Fire Annual Chili Cook Off.”

Bigham said he did not follow a recipe. He used deer meat, jalapenos, cayenne pepper and a blend of herbs and spices. When he entered the contest, he had not anticipated winning or losing.

‘‘I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. ‘‘This chili is something I make for our guys seven or eight times a year.”

Bigham wanted to share it with others and give it a shot in the contest, he said, and he was pleased with the outcome.

Security’s Christine Brown came in second place and third went to Security’s Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Donald Wittwer.

Though somewhat disappointed, the Fire Department maintained good sportsmanship and congratulated their opponents.

‘‘We work together every day and we have a good relationship,” said Fire Inspector Mike Loveless, of NNMC’s Fire Prevention Division. ‘‘[These events] help build morale between our departments.”

‘‘This shows how well Security and the Fire Department work together,” added Master Chief Master-at-Arms Deanna Foust of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda. ‘‘This is fun, and it’s fun to watch.”

Foust said she enjoyed the variety of chili, ranging from sweet to spicy.

‘‘I think they all deserve to win,” she said.

Security’s Master-at-Arms 1st Class Emil Granada echoed her sentiment, noting that each chili has its own ‘‘character,” he said.

‘‘I’m no chili expert, but I’ve had chili before ... and I know each contestant worked hard to accomplish a [goal],” Granada said. ‘‘They’ve all been very good and very tasty.”