38th Chili Cookoff raises funds for cerebral palsy

St. Joseph News-Press - 3/4/2024

Mar. 3—St. Joseph residents came from far and wide with stomachs empty and mouths watering for the 38th annual Chili Cookoff.

Over 50 contestants brought their homemade chili to the Civic Arena Sunday afternoon to be judged by taste, palatability and appearance in a double blind test.

Chili veterans and newbies alike joined together to compete for the judge's ranking and the People's Choice Award.

This yearly event doesn't just show off St. Joseph's elite chili cooking skills, but also raises funds for the local United Cerebral Palsy chapter with 100% of the proceeds staying in Northwest Missouri to benefit children and adults with special needs.

"At the end of the day, this is all about raising money for UCP," contestant Randy Widener said. "It's our biggest fund raiser of the year ... I'm here to support UCP and all the good functions that it causes."

Several contestants have participated in the cookoff for over a decade, while others have just recently begun competing.

"This is our 11th year at the Chili Cookoff," contestants Dawn and Jay Myers said. "It's a great place for a great cause, UCP. It's awesome."

With a live musical performance by country star Michael Shaun Brown all afternoon, people worked off the chili sweats with a bit of dancing. Many contestants said they participate every year for the competition as well as the party-like scene that's associated with it.

"They've been doing it for a long time," contestant and twin brother to Widener, Rony Widener, said. "I never realized how much fun it was. Hard work, but it's fun."

Whether they came for the endless chili or to support the cause, St. Joseph residents packed the Civic Arena to standing-room-only. With hundreds if not thousands of people present for the event, it's safe to say everyone is excited for next year's 39th Chili Cookoff.

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