Chili lovers, get your taste-buds ready.
The Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to host the annual chili cook-off.
This Friday (July 27), downtown will be filled with the smell of simmering chili, as residents gather for a good meal to support a worthy cause.
The tasting will get underway at noon on 50 St. between Brosseau’s Department Store and TD Bank. The Bonnyville and District SPCA, the benefactor of the event, will be selling $3 unlimited chili bowls.
SPCA board member, Sharon Ducharme, said the cook-off is a very popular event, and the support from the community is greatly needed.
“People are lined up 15 minutes before noon because there’s only so much chili to go around,” she explained. “People want to try everything, and it’s a great community event.”
Executive director of the chamber, Serina Parsons, said the cook-off is meant to thank the community for everything they do to support the local chamber.
“It’s a nice kick-off to the rodeo that weekend,” she explained.
Registration for contestants is free, and Parsons encourages groups taking part to make the afternoon an enjoyable one.
“We really encourage the teams to get out and have a lot of fun,” she said. “Decorate your booth, pick a theme, and have a lot of fun to promote your chili recipe.”
All participants will be eligible to win awards for their chili creations, and will be entered to win the most “sense”ational chili. This award is given to the recipe that surpasses all others in excellence, achievement, and quality.
“Other awards include people’s choice, tastiest, and hot stuff for the spicy lovers in the house,” Parsons said.
During registration, teams will choose a category or two, which determines the rules for their chili recipe, such as most unusual or hot stuff.
Ducharme said previous years have featured some very hot options, and there is always a number of different flavours to try out.
Teams must make the chili from scratch the day of the event, with the exception of the meat, and can begin set up when gates open at 8 a.m. Judging will begin at 11 a.m., with the public getting their bowls filled from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The registration deadline is Tuesday, July 24 for businesses and organizations interested in participating. For more information visit www.bonnyvillechamber.com, email [email protected], or call 780-826-3252.
