Anyone with a hankering for chili can enjoy several different varieties on Saturday during the fifth annual Chili Cook-Off in Pembroke, sponsored by the North Bryan Chamber of Commerce.
Around 10 teams are expected to participate in the event, which is slated from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pembroke Senior Citizens Center downtown, according to Carol Duggar, who is helping organize the day’s activities.
Duggar said vendors such as Pembroke Advanced Communications are returning contestants, while others, like a group of culinary students from Virginia College’s Savannah campus, will be new to the event.
Other contestants for the day include West Rehab and Sports Medicine, Masterpiece Chili, the city of Pembroke, WellCare in Savannah and others, Duggar said.
Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell is also helping organize the event on behalf of the chamber. She said she expects a good crowd for the day.
“We normally have close to 100 people who come and enjoy the day,” she said. “There will also be a People’s Choice award so individuals can select which one they think was their favorite chili.”
There will also be cash awards for the top three contestants, which will be judged by celebrity judges, including radio personality Big Mac from Kix 96 and Newman Dotterweich and Tiffany Pennington from West Rehab.
“We are excited,” Warnell added. “We checked the weather forecast and at this point it looks favorable for our Chili Cook-Off.”
McDonald’s will serve iced tea and Bluebell Creameries will provide ice cream as they have in the past, Duggar said.
Warnell said the chamber continues to sponsor the event because it provides a fun day for the community during a time of year that is typically slow.
“February is traditionally a slow month and usually the weather is a little cool,” Warnell said. “So we thought it would be a great time to warm everything up with a chili cook-off.”
Duggar said the judging for the event, which will also feature music and fiesta décor, begins at 11 a.m. Adults can enjoy unlimited chili samples, a drink and dessert for $5, while kids can enjoy the same for $2.50.
For more information call 653-2219 or 653-2244.