Red-hot challenge: Sign up for annual chili cookoff

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: February 10, 2011

Folks who enjoy cooking up some delicious chili and those who like eating it will want to come out for the Fourth Annual Red Hot Chili Cookoff.

The chili cookoff is set for Saturday, Feb. 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Corpening Memorial YMCA. It is an annual event held by both the Marion Rotary Club and the YMCA. Tickets for the event are available now. They are $5 for an individual and $10 for a family. The money raised from the cookoff will be used by the Marion Rotary Club to benefit local non-profit organizations, the Honor Air effort for veterans, projects done by Rotary International and other causes.

“This is the fourth year we are doing this,” said YMCA Executive Director Tim Blenco, who is also a Rotarian. “It is a family-friendly event. Everybody is having a good time for two worthwhile organizations.”

Organizers of the event said they want to encourage folks to enter their best chili for the cookoff. They can be entered in three categories: Best School Chili, Best “Average Joe” Chili and Professional (a restaurant). Any contestant in these three categories is eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which has a $100 cash prize.

Blenco said he would like to see more contestants sign up for the cookoff.

“If they want to participate, they can contact any Rotarian or call the YMCA at 659-9622,” he added. “We will send them a chili cooker application. We need every kind of chili we can get.”

Individuals who want to enter their chili have to prepare a minimum of one gallon. Businesses or groups that want to enter have to make a three-gallon minimum. Contestants have until a week before the event to submit their application for the cookoff, said Blenco.

“The 18^th is when we need to know,” he added.

Trophies will be given away for the winners in the Average Joe and Professional categories. A cash prize of $150 will be given to the winner of the Best School Chili. Last year, all the schools got involved in the chili cookoff, said Blenco.

Those who buy tickets for the event will be able to do more than just sample the chili. They can enjoy the music, fun and fellowship at this community event. A disc jockey will play music and children’s activities will take place in the Y’s multipurpose room. School groups will also perform during the cookoff.

Tickets are available at the Corpening Memorial YMCA, Spencer’s Hardware, Carolina First Bank, Mountain 1st Bank and Bagwell Insurance Agency.

For more information, contact the Corpening Memorial YMCA at 659-9622.