The first Super Bowl Weekend Chili Cook-off was sponsored by the Youth Group at St. David’s on the Hill Episcopal Church on Feb. 6, raising hundreds of dollars for church programming while warming the hearts and filling the bellies of the parishioners gathered despite the frigid weather outdoors.

All in the community were welcome to participate. Guests had two options – they could choose to enter a chili recipe in the contest while also having the opportunity to taste and vote, or they could simply taste and vote for their favorites. The top three winners received recognition, as did the chili with the most creative name.

A wide variety of chili was entered, from family recipes to dessert chili, and the friendly competition and creative names brought a smile to the faces of those tasting and casting their votes.

The competition was tough, but the top three winners were as follows. First place went to the Boscia family with their Chunka Chunka Burning Love beanless Texas chili. Scond place went to Grammie Green’s Chili Machine chicken chili by Suzanne Greenbacker. Third place went to Victory is Sweet dessert chili by Caroline Cowart. The most creative name was won by Don Cowart for his “I Can’t Believe I Beat Father Peter’s Chili.”

Chili was available for purchase both after the Saturday evening event and after Sunday services, just in time for Super Bowl Sunday events that evening.

The next youth group sponsored community event will be the second annual Paint and Pastry Night, to be held on March 12.