October 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 13th when Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County hosts the 19th Annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.
Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the town square in front of City Hall. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the DeKalb County Complex Auditorium. For $10, eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Commemorative ceramic mugs will be available for $25. Both options include one drink. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will be for sale. Take out is also available.
“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the Chili Cook-off,” said Alex Woodward, president of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. “The proceeds from the event will be used toward building another Habitat house with a DeKalb County family, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”
20 teams will be competing in the Chili Cook-off this year: “The Loan Arrangers” from Liberty State Bank; “Top Gunners” from Amvets Ladies Auxiliary Post 101; “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; “Funky Chicken Chili” from DeKalb Prevention Coalition; “FirstBank’s Secret Sauce Chili” from FirstBank; “Galaxy” from Galaxy Ford; Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm; “Home Care Heroes” from Adoration Home Health; Town and Lake Realty; DeKalb UT Extension; Hywater Title, LLC; “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank & Trust; “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from WY FORGE CO.; “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church; “Silence of the Dems” from DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Legal Limit Spice” from Center Hill Title, LLC/Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney; “Family and Consumer Foodies” from DCHS FCCLA; and “Mom’s Holmes Made Chili” from Holmes Group Inc. In addition, DeKalb Title is sponsoring the “Treat Tent”.
In 2022, “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “Top Gunners” from Amvets Post 101 placing second. Third place chili honors went to “First Finest Chili” from FirstBank.
The Best Decorated Booth Award went to Smithville Electric System; with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second place and “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department placing third.
The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with Smithville Electric coming in second and the “DCHS Biting Tigers” from DCHS FCCLA coming in third.
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.
For more information on the Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, contact Tecia Pryor at 615-597-7370.