2020 Great Chili Cook-Off features church challenge

To The Press

As Robin, the Boy Wonder, might say, “Holy Beans, Batman!”

The field of contestants for the 2020 Great Chili Cook-Off has been set, with this year’s theme being a challenge between churches in town.

Pastors or other representatives from seven churches in Charles City will vie for the Golden Ladle Award and bragging rights by putting their favorite chili recipes to the test.

The public will decide the winner by sampling all seven chilis between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Columbus Club located at 502 Clark St.

Tickets include oyster crackers, beverage and a dessert prepared by the high school culinary and hospitality students. A ballot to vote for the favorite chili will be on the back of the ticket to be turned in as patrons leave.

Tickets are available in advance at the Community Development Office, 401 N. Main St., or at the door of the Columbus Club the day of the event. Proceeds will go to support the activities and events of Community Revitalization, the cook-off’s host.

Churches competing in this year’s Chili Cook-Off are Amazing Grace, Bethany Alliance, Evangelical Free, Faith Bible Chapel, First Baptist, Immaculate Conception and Trinity United Methodist.

The pastor or another member from each church will be cooking up 5 gallons each of their best chili, which will be served to the public in a blind taste test and voting done by randomly assigned numbers.

Sponsors of this year’s Chili Cook-Off are Zoetis, Cambrex, CUSB Bank, Fidelity Bank & Trust, First Citizens Bank, Kamm Excavating and Snap Fitness/Farm Bureau Financial-Jay Jung.

This marks the 24th year that the Great Chili Cook-Off has been put on by Community Revitalization, Charles City’s volunteer-driven Main Street Iowa program whose purpose is to enhance a strong downtown Charles City as part of a great place to live, work and play.

For more information call (641) 228-2335, email info@charlescitychamber.com or visit www.charlescitychamber.com and click on the “Revitalization” link of the top menu bar.