Fifth annual Chili cook off

BONNERS FERRY — Do you have the best spicy chili recipe, or do you make a savory portion to go along with cornbread? Then come out to the fifth annual Chili Cook-off on Jan. 14.

The cook-off is a fun way to bring community members together after the holiday, cook-off organizer Tom Chaney told the Herald. Donations collected at the event go to providing homemade hats and scarfs to veterans and first responders at the Boundary County Restorium.

The cook-off includes awards for best chili, hot chili, super hot chili and cornbread. Each year the awards have been made uniquely to represent the year, this year’s awards will be made by 3-D printer.

The chilis are judged by blind taste test. Chaney said a larger participant turnout with more chili options and cornbread is always desired, but that a core group of participants have returned year after year.

The event is all about bringing people together, he said.

“If you know someone that is having a rough time after the holiday season, bring them to the cook-off,” Chaney said. “In this community we have a lot of caring people and put on this event to engage with the community. So come by and have a bowl of chili, some cornbread and sweet tea.

The cook-off is Jan. 14 at noon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 3622 Lincoln St., Bonners Ferry.