Local chili chefs ready for Saturday cookoff
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on October 22, 2014 1:46 PM
bbarlay@newsargus.com
Wayne County cooks are getting their secret recipes ready for the 16th annual Really Chili Challenge. It will take place Saturday in the parking lot next to the Flying Shamrock.
The event is a fundraiser for the Community Soup Kitchen.
Chili teams will set up their booths at 8 a.m. and begin cooking their special dishes. Judging will be at noon, then the event will be opened to anyone who wants to come and taste the chili creations.
In addition to being a fundraiser, the Really Chili Challenge is a chance for local chili aficionados to show off their skills and see who can create the best recipe.
Members of last year's second-place winner, Doctor Chili's Germ Kicking Chili, are challenging other chili cooks to "bring it on" this year.
The team is sponsored by Immediate Care and has participated in the event the past seven years.
"It's a chance to get involved in the community," team leader Jeff Pitta said. "Plus I like to cook. I do all the cooking for the chili challenge."
Pitta describes his chili as spicy hot.
"I use a seasoning mix I started using a long time ago to make beef jerky," he said. "It has seven different pepper seasonings in it, and that's what I use as a base for my chili."
In past years, the team has taken home awards for first-, second- and third-places.
"May the best chili win," Pitta said of this year's entries. "I hope it's going to be us."
Walking away with first place last year was BB&T's team, Great Beans of Fire.
"We did it as a fun time with BB&T and to support the Community Soup Kitchen," team member Beverly Wallace-Wiggins said. "We had such a fun time and it was a very enjoyable event."
Last year, team members made a traditional red bean chili. This year, they've decided to make that same chili that they won with last year, along with an extra white bean chili on the side.
Anyone can enter the Really Chili Challenge, individuals, businesses, civic groups, churches.
"If you've got the inclination, like cooking and want a little friendly competition, this is the kind of thing you can do," team recruitment co-chairman Kay Cooke said.
"TALoving has entered for years," she said. "Zaxby's and the Flying Shamrock have both done it. One of the Kiwanis clubs has also done it."
Chili is judged on taste, consistency, flavor and aroma.
Awards are given for Best Booth; first, second and third place in Best Chili; and People's Choice.
If you'd like to go and sample some of the creations at the 2014 Really Chili Challenge, tickets are $5, with children 5 and younger free. They are available up to the day of the event from any board member or at the event itself.