It’s almost fall, and with it the 14th Annual Habitat for Humanity chili cook-off and bake sale will be held Friday, Oct. 27, on the DeKalb County Courthouse lawn.
Last year’s 13th Annual Habitat for Humanity chili cook-off and bake sale was a great success. According to the Chili Cook-off Committee, there was a record turnout and more than $5,400 was raised for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.
The rules are pretty simple and it’s open to all the chili cookers out there. All chili must be cooked from scratch, which is defined as starting with raw meat, no marinating is allowed and chili mixes are not permitted.
Each team must furnish at least five gallons of chili that will become the property of the sponsor and chili will be sold to the public as a fundraiser.
If a team makes more than one variety of chili, only one will be eligible for judging.
All chili must be on site by 9:30 a.m. and ready to serve by 10:30 a.m.
Teams are responsible for setup, teardown and removal of all booth items at the end of the event. Teams can set up Thursday evening from after 4:30 p.m. and Friday at 7 a.m.
Please advise the committee in advance if you want to use more than a 10x10 space.
Rain location will be the DeKalb County Complex and set-up hours will be the same.
Required Equipment is whatever your team needs to set up your booth and produce your favorite chili.
One 110-volt outlet will be furnished. Teams are responsible for furnishing extension cords, tables, tents, propane gas cookers, etc.
Sponsor will provide cups, spoons, napkins, and condiments.
Those who purchase bowls of chili will be the judges.
A ballot will be given with each bowl purchased.
Awards and bragging rights will be given in the following manner: First- and Second-place Chili, People’s Choice Chili (Golden Spoon Award), and Best Decorated Booth.
Last year, “Cowabunga Chili” from the DeKalb County Board of Education took Top Chili honors, with “Cheese Wagon Chili” from the DeKalb County Department of Transportation coming in second place. Third-place chili honors went to “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust.
The Best Decorated Booth Award also went to “Cowabunga Chili” from the DeKalb County Board of Education, with “Spooky Bean Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas and “Cheese Wagon Chili” from the DeKalb County Department of Transportation tying for second place.
The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised $197 for Habitat in cash donations at their booth.
Rounding out the nine participating teams were “Around the Block” from H&R Block; “The Bean Counters” from Janney and Associates, CPAs; “Savvy Chili” from Savvy Scrubs/Professional Testing Services; and “No Liability Chili” from the DeKalb County Bar Association.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181.