Competitors who gear up to participate in the 11th annual Chili Cook Off in downtown Buchanan will be feeling the heat as 31 chefs vie for championship titles by putting their recipes to the test of taste buds.
The event lasts from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and starts at the library, at 128 E. Front St. Front Street will be closed to allow for easy foot traffic. Businesses will be open. The cook off is co-sponsored by the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce and Buchanan Meadows Meridian Senior Living.
The cost is a $2 spoon donation. All proceeds not used to cover the cost of the event will go to support the Buchanan Band Boosters. The Buchanan High School and Middle School is raising money for a trip to Disney World in the fall.
Buchanan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Hendrixson said while Buchanan is not the only small town to host a chili walk, their event is truly unique.
“Not many communities have an event quite like this,” Hendrixson said. “I do not know of any in the area or region that closes down their main street.”
After registering at the library, residents receive a spoon and a map of various chili dishes to samples.
Hendrixson’s advice: Do not plan on eating dinner beforehand.
Residents will receive a spoon and be able to sample out of their own soufflé cup, which holds about 2 ounces of chili. Each participant can submit a ballot for their favorite chili and the best-named chili.
Four titles are available for champion chili cookers including people’s choice award, which is selected by residents. A panel of three judges, which include Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, Morning Show Host Matt Malone from Y-Country 97.5, and Buchanan’s Band Director Mark Hollandsworth will pick their favorite chili, awarding it the Judge’s Choice. Those who compete can also earn the best-named chili, which inspires a lot of creativity in those who compete, Hendrixson said. Finally, an award for the most spirit will be given out.
The award winners will be named at 7:15 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. The public is invited to attend and cheer on their favorites.
As the ballots role in, Hendrixson said the process is a real “nail biter.”
For the past several years, the McCoy’s Creek Tavern has been a reigning champion, earning the people’s choice award with a hot batch of their white chicken chili.
Defending their title will not be easy.
“We love seeing all the competition,” Hendrixson said.
Teams are not competing just for flavor. It is not uncommon to see people dressed in costume or getting pumped about the competition by blasting music and hyping up the crowd as well, Hendrixson said.
Last year was the biggest attendance yet, drawing 42 chili cooks to compete and more than 1,000 people to downtown Buchanan.
This year, Hendrixson is expecting another good turn out, with more than 700 people expected to attend.
Hendrixson said the event is great for families.
“We are blessed to have another good group,” Hendrixson said.