By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
PENDLETON, Ind. — Although the weather turned mild Sunday, it didn’t keep area residents from sampling a favorite winter dish for a cause.
Pendleton Friends of the Library’s third annual chili cook-off saw its biggest crowd yet, according to Arlene Shannon of the Pendleton Community Library.
Last year, Shannon said, the organization raised $1,000 for the local library.
She’d only set this year’s goal at $1,500 but said the crowd seemed to indicate a bigger haul.
“I think I set the goal too low,” Shannon said Sunday.
As participants sampled nearly one dozen varieties of chili in the library, ballots were cast for the honor of becoming Mr. Hot Stuff and Ms. Chili Pepper.
Library Director Lynn Hobbs said the title means little, but allows residents to humiliate their loved ones by nominating them for the honorary title.
“It’s basically an exercise in public embarrassment,” Hobbs said.
Nicole Rosemond beat out Teri Dunlevy to become Ms. Chili Pepper but the race was too close for Mr. Hot Stuff.
Both Danny Holland and Bob Jenkins received the title when the ballots resulted in a tie.
In the midst of raffle prizes, chili pageants and a bake sale, the chili cook-off also featured something few could resist — the sampling of chili.
Debbie Talbert tried all of the chili dishes on display Sunday, deciding that she enjoyed the Italian chili the best.
“It tastes like pizza in a bowl.”
Talbert said the event was not just good for chili.
“It’s a lot of good fellowship.”
Her sister, Patsy Manifold, enjoyed the fellowship, but not the chili.
Since she doesn’t like any foods with any degree of spice, Manifold collected chili samples for her sister, watching as she enjoyed the bean and meat varieties.
In the end Bonnie Landis’ Chicky Chili beat out the competition in the individual category.
The Pendleton ambulance crew’s cardiac chili won the group prize and the Pendleton Fire Department’s chili won best presentation.
In her first year taking part in the charity cook-off, sampler Kara Robinson tried the Deer-licious delight chili and enjoyed the chitchat and friendly chaos of the cook-off.
“It’s a wonderful event.”
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
