Mason-Dixon Chili Society Cook Off continues to grow

Crowds continue to grow for the annual Mason-Dixon Chili Society Cook Off.

A total of 36 teams turned out to the Black River Coliseum on Saturday for the 15th event where they compete for the title of best chili in Poplar Bluff, while also benefiting the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

Last year, 31 teams competed and raised around $15,000 for the Mission, according to committee member Sandy Wood.

Wood said the reason she thinks so many teams come back year after year is that despite the work it takes, they have fun doing it.

Members of the winning teams echoed that sentiment in all three categories.

Century 21 American Realty won first place in best booth decorations for its Creepy Mysterious Chili theme designed after “The Addams Family.”

Julie Spencer with the team said some members have participated for 10 years or more.

“We have fun,” she said. “We look forward to this every year. To watch the little kids today over that fog machine was great fun. Plus, helping the Rescue Mission is always good.”

People’s Choice winning team was Southern Bank’s What’s In It, which had members who participated for over 10 years as well and also agreed that participating in the event was fun. The team was also names People’s Choice at last year’s event.

“It’s a good time,” said group member Melanie Calvert. “We love being with the other vendors and cooking chili. It’s a good time and a good cause.”

First Midwest Bank’s team The Spice is Right walked away with the best chili award from the judges along with second place for booth decoration. This is the third year the team has participated.

Team member Debbie Shelton said it’s the love for the community that has them come back.

In order to select what chili gets entered, Shelton said the company has a mini chili cook off at the office and the winner of that determines what gets used at the real deal.

It isn’t just teams that keep coming back every year, however. Wood said not only more teams came this year, but more people in general.

The event started at 11 a.m. and by 11:30, she said, some booths were already running low on cups for their chili.

This increased participation, Wood said, would hopefully lead to more donations for the Rescue Mission.

Attendee Terry Braun returned for a second year this time despite not being able to partake in the chili due to a beef allergy. However, she brought more family this year that could eat the chili and said it was fun to see the kids get excited. They plan to continue to attend, she said.

The Just-US band also returned. They’ve performed for more years than members could remember, although they estimated around eight.

Member Chuck Harris said they enjoy performing for the cook off because it supports a good cause.

“We want to support the Mission,” he said. “They do so much for the community. ... If what little we do can help them raise money (it’s good). Everybody seems to have a good time.”

Winning teams

Best Decorated Booth

Third place — Sterling Bank with the Sterling Hillbillies of Beverely Hills

Second place — First Midwest Bank with The Spice is Right

First place — Century 21 American Realty with Creepy Mysterious Chili

Team Spirit — Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center with Team Super Bowls

People’s Choice

Third place — Poplar Bluff Reality with REALty Good Chili

Second place — Aire Solutions with WWARYYHYTAYHEM

First place — Southern Bank with “What’s in it!?”

Best Chili

Third place — Health Partners Management Group with Red Hot Chili Preppers

Second place — The Boys and Girls Club with Lunch Lady Leftovers

First place — First Midwest Bank with The Spice is Right