THEWIRE

By Jo Sheldon

 

Students and faculty spiced things up at the Third Annual Chili Cook Off that took place at Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus on Jan. 31.

 

Each contestant had different styles and cooking choices for their chili. The contestants were: Performing Arts, FFA, Game Day representing marketing and public relations, Ed Hall, Rob Bates from Student Services, Chris Everett, and the Corporate and Community Programs (CCP).

 

The winner of the contest was the Performing Arts group using a special recipe including sugar.

 

Laura Gagnon, a member of the student government association, decided to make the contest the last Thursday before Super Bowl Sunday as a little celebration.

 

“Usually in contests the winners are announced by judges, but this contest was different,” Gagnon said. “We decided that each volunteer who tried the chili got to vote on the one they liked best.”

 

Winners of the contest received their name on a perpetual plaque that stays on campus and a smaller trophy to take home.

 

Shannon Hopkins, a secondary math education major, has attended the contest each year. Although he has never entered any chili into the contest, he said he would not miss the contest no matter what.

 

“I love chili and I can cook it, but it has to be served with hot dogs and french fries,” Hopkins said.

 

Hopkins said he thought the Performing Arts had the chili that looked and smelled the best and he was excited for next year.

 

“I plan on coming back next year and entering the contest with my own chili,” Hopkins said. “And of course I will be bringing hot dogs and french fries along with it.”

 

Michael Golder, a CIS major, has also attended the contest each year and said every year there is a bigger variety in the different types of chili.

 

“I’m usually a big fan of hot and spicy food, but I have to admit the FFA’s chili is delicious and sweet like candy,” Golder said.

 

“This year's chili cook off was definitely a success in my book,” Golder said.

 

Kerri Harmon, student life coordinator, said the event was started by a student, Julianna Tennefoss, who was a former member of the Campus Crusade for Christ.

 

“Throughout the years I have seen a few different kinds of chili,” Harmon said. “I have seen some with beans, some without beans, white chili, and vegetarian.”

 

“I am a horrible cook,” Harmon said. “I am known to make reservations for everything.”

 

Harmon said she did not contribute to any of the chili in the contest, but she did contribute the cheese.