Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 4th when Habitat for Humanity hosts the 20th Annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.
Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the town square in front of City Hall. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Life Enrichment Center at First Baptist Church. For $10, eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Commemorative ceramic mugs will be available for $25. Both options include one drink. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will be for sale. Take out is also available.
“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the Chili Cook-off,” said Alex Woodward, Habitat for Humanity volunteer. “The proceeds from the event will be used toward building another Habitat house for a deserving family, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”
At press time, 14 teams will be competing in the Chili Cook-off this year: “Loan Rangers” from Liberty State Bank; “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; “Secret’s in the Vault Chili” from FirstBank; Galaxy Ford; State Farm Mallory Pfingstler; “Bowled and Beautiful” from Hywater Title, LLC; Smithville Electric; “Chili Chili Bang Bang” from Wilson Bank & Trust; “MTNG Bedrock Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “DeKalb Dems” from DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Legal Limit Spice” from Center Hill Title, LLC/Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney; “Spice Builders” from DCHS FCCLA; “DeKalb County Farm Bureau Arsonist” from DeKalb County Farm Bureau Insurance; and “Close the Deal” from DeKalb Title LLC.
In addition, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Ranger Brake, Smithport Cabinetry, and Glynn’s Auto Sales are this year’s Treat Tent Sponsors; The Male Room Brotique, Smithville Church of Christ and Swallows Insurance are the Chili Check-In Sponsors. DeKalb County Insurance and State Representative Michael Hale are sponsoring the Cook’s Lunch.
In 2023, “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing second. Third place chili honors went to “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric.
The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; with “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric coming in second place and “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing third.
The Golden Spoon Award went to “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second and Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm coming in third.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.
For more information on the Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale, contact Mallory Hill at 931-528-1711 ext. 6.
