Break out the chili pots and dust off your recipes.
The North Bryan Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a chili cook-off Sat., Feb. 21 at the Bryan County Senior Center in downtown Pembroke.
Contestants and all team members should be at the center with chili ready for judging by 11 a.m. because "celebrity judges" will award cash prizes to first, second and third places in the amounts of $150, $75, and $50, according to the vibrant colored fliers posted around Pembroke. www.bryancounty.org/events.html
Big Mac from Kix96 will be one of the judges, according to Mary Warnell, president of the Chamber. They are still talking to others, she said.
Warnell said the Chamber planned this as a fun event and the main goal is to cover expenses and prizes this time. She said they hope to make the cook-off an annual event.
"There's not usually a lot going on around this time. We thought the cook-off would be a fun way to spend a cold day in February." Warnell said.
"I'm sure there will be a lot of great recipes with creative names and look forward to tasting the entries." She said.
All-you-can-eat chili dinners for mild and spicy palates will be served at the center from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at a cost of $7.00 per ticket, according to Warnell.
Tickets will be available at the door, and can be purchased in advance around Pembroke at First Bank, Heritage Bank, Pembroke Pizza and Pembroke Pharmacy, according to Carol Duggar, cook-off committee member.
The heat categories are mild, medium, hot, burn down the barn and legal lip remover, so make sure to remember your antacids.
No wild game chilies are allowed, thus no deer. All ingredients must be USDA approved, according to the rules. www.bryancounty.org/Img/Events/ChiliRulesPDF.pdf
Instead of an entry fee, rules say those entering will agree to make at least three gallons of chili and stay at their booths until the dinner is finished at 2 p.m.
The chili has to be prepared on sight, and contestants are to supply their own setups, including tent, booth decorations, tables, chairs, signs and electric cords.
For an entry form or advance tickets, call 653-2244 or 653-2219. An entry form can also be found at www.bryancounty.org.