Mason-Dixon Chili Society Cook Off sees record number of teams

A very rainy and cool Saturday afternoon was the perfect setting for folks to pack the Black River Coliseum and sample chili from a record number of participants in the Mason-Dixon Chili Society Chili Cook Off.

A total of 34 teams gathered to compete for bragging rights as the best chili in Poplar Bluff, while also benefiting the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

“It’s kind of like Pokemon, you gotta try them all,” first time attendee Adam Crader said.

Crader’s wife, Kristen, said she is big supporter of local charities, so the chili cook off was an afternoon well spent.

The Crader’s three children, Addyson, Jeffrey and Ashleigh, sampled chili early on, but were more interested in the side items of cheese, crackers and sandwiches.

Only halfway through the Black River Coliseum floor, Kristen said she favored the chili by Southern Bank.

Kristen was not the only one who enjoyed Southern Bank’s chili. They were named the People’s Choice winner.

Chad and Melanie Calvert have been the team’s cooks for the past two years and surprise the group with their recipe each time.

“We had a lot of good feedback from the crowd,” Southern Bank Marketing Retail Manager Bill Hirtz said. “We are really excited to be named People’s Choice.”

Since 2009, Southern Bank has been participating in the chili cook off.

“It has been a very good experience for a good cause and we are excited to be a part of it,” Hirtz said.

People’s Choice is awarded by the amount of money donated from people sampling chili during the afternoon at participant’s booths. Southern Bank received $866.29 to capture first place. Ozark Federal Credit Union claimed second place by receiving $608.61 and Aire Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning received third with $590.26.

First Missouri State Bank was chosen as the overall winner by a panel of judges as the best chili in Poplar Bluff.

“The secret is to just dump it in until it taste good,” the winning team said of their recipe.

The event was for a great cause and First Missouri State Bank said they were glad to see so many participants.

The team admitted there was a lot of strong competition and they will return next year to defend their title.

Capital City Chili of local elected officials Doug Libla, Hardy Billington and Jeff Shawan’s chili took second place with Sunset Pools claiming third place.

Winning teams showed their continued support to the United Gospel Rescue Mission by donating their prize money back to the organization.

In its 14th year, Mason-Dixon Chili Society Committee Member John Scott said he believed this year’s turnout was best yet and included the greatest number of teams.

“The event has gone very well. We had a great night Friday evening with set-up and the team party went great as always,” Scott said. “Thank you to Kohlfeld Distributing for their sponsorship and Chris Shrum for all his hard work.”

With a record number of 34 teams who competed in this year’s event, Scott said the vision Phil Nixon has 14 years ago has taken shape by filing the coliseum with participants.

If teams are already thinking about joining in on the cook off fun next year, Scott encourages to reserve a spot now by contacting him or Sandy Wood at First Missouri State Bank.

“It has been a lot of fun and there is a lot of great chili,” he said.

The team of Denise Woodard, Tricia Thornburgh and Tiffany Hendrix from Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center kept their chili recipe simple, they said.

The team said it was important for them to take part in the chili cook off because the Rescue Mission and Rev. Greg Kirk help a lot with patients at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, so they wanted to return the favor, Woodard said.

Attending last year’s event, Kevin Knight urged Fawn Pigg to come out to this year’s Mason-Dixon Chili Society Chili Cook Off.

“It’s for a great cause, it’s a lot of fun and it’s delicious,” he said.

Pigg said the United Gospel Rescue Mission provides a great service to the community, so she was happy to come support the event and see a lot of people from the community she hadn’t seen in awhile.

“I will for sure come back next year,” she said.

Knight, who works for Smith & Company, said his vote for best chili went to his employer, but was not showing favoritism.

“I’m not being bias, it’s really good,” he said.

Danny and Kim Fry were also first time attendees who said they enjoyed their first ever chili cook off.

Still early in their sampling process, the couple were able to pick a favorite chili.

“I like Stinson Press’ chili,” Danny said. “It’s not too hot, but has some sweetness.”

New to the chili competition among a record number of teams was Ozark Federal Credit Union.

“It’s amazing to see over 30 vendors here and all the unique flavors,” Ozark Federal Credit Union Business Development Specialist Davine Conover said. “I love seeing how much pride everyone has in their recipes.”

Conover, who also showed pride in her own secret recipe, would only divulge it was a “mild chili.”

“We partner with the Rescue Mission in everything we can,” she said in being a part of the event benefiting the mission. “I know it’s a real need and we try to do what we can.”

United Gospel Rescue Mission Executive Director Rev. Greg Kirk said he has been a part of the Mason-Dixon Chili Society Chili Cook Off 13 of its 14 years and this was “the best one yet.”

According to Kirk, last year’s event brought in $12,000 and he is praying this year will bring in $15,000 when it’s all said and done.

“We have a bunch of regulars who attend each year, but I’m seeing a lot of new faces this year,” he said.

Kirk also praised the number of new teams taking place in this year’s event.

Jim Hoyt and Lemonade House and Grill were one of the new teams to compete for the bragging rights while supporting the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

“Jim owns a restaurant, but has never made chili before, and it’s good,” Kirk said. “What wins is the kind of chili you make at home, so literally anyone can join in.”

All the money raised from the event will benefit the United Gospel Rescue Mission to help the hurting people in Poplar Bluff, Kirk added.

“We serve the under served,” he said.

Only able to fit three more teams in the Black River Coliseum, Kirk said the chili cook off will continue until no more teams can be packed inside the venue.

“It’s just a fun time with a really good band in a family atmosphere where you can bring the kids,” he said.