Chili Cook-Off is on Feb. 23

By Susan Taft
staft@campcountynow.com

Stir up a big pot of your favorite chili, and get ready to compete for the title of the county’s best chili cook.
The Camp County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Camp County Community Chili Competition on Feb. 23.
“Get your chili recipes out and get ready for some good, fun competition, and let’s see who has the best chili,” said Allen Weatherford, the chamber’s executive director. “A trophy and bragging rights are on the line.”
The winner will be a People’s Choice Award. An award will also be presented to the best decorated booth.
The Camp County Community Chili Competition will be held at the First United Methodist Church’s Ministry Center.
Entry deadline is Feb. 20, and the entry fee is $35. Chili can either be prepared ahead of time, or prepared on site. The building will open at 8 a.m. No cooking facilities will be furnished, so bring your cooking and heating units. No propane burners are allowed inside the building. Participants are asked to prepare three to five gallons for the competition. Ingredients must be posted in the event someone needs to know due to allergic reactions. Wild game used as an ingredient must be designated and identified.
Booths must be in place and ready to be judged by 11 a.m. Judging of the chili will begin immediately after that. Balloting will close at 1 p.m., and award winners will be announced at 1:15.
It you’d rather eat than cook, tickets are $5 for all the chili you can eat. Tickets are available at the chamber office, 202 Jefferson St., or they may be purchased at the door.
All proceeds go to support the Camp County Chamber of Commerce.
This is the third year for the event. Past winners include M. Dussetschleger and Life’s a Beach.
For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 903-856-3442, or stop by the chamber office.