Red Oak Express Chili Cook-off raises over $1,200

Another successful chili cook-off is in the books.

For those of you not in the know, The Express sponsors the annual Barb Gray Memorial Chili Cook-off each year, and according to my records, this year was the 15th go round.

The event gives local organizations and individuals a chance to showcase their chili recipes and attendees a chance to eat some really good food. Ten entries were in the race this year, and each one was different. Some cooks chose to bring along additional items, such as cornbread and cinnamon rolls, although really, all the chili could stand alone. (Cinnamon rolls and chili, I have been told, are a combination unique to Iowa. I just know years of school lunches predisposes me to the combination!)

The Red Oak Fire Department, once again, did a wonderful job hosting the event. The firefighters helped with set up and clean up, as well as entering their own chili. Thanks to them!

Three places were awarded in two categories: Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice. Our three judges, Connie McCormick, president of the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; Jim Hoskinson, local artist; and Greg Orear, publisher of the New Ulm Journal and former publisher/editor of The Express, had a hard time choosing the best of 10 contenders. I’m glad they had to make the choice and not me! Greg, by the way, came all the way down from Minnesota to be a judge; proving, I guess, that it’s hard to get Red Oak out of your blood. Great Western Bank took first in the Judges’ Choice category, with B&B Rentals and the Montgomery County Family YMCA coming in second and third, respectively.

The public taste-testers chose the People’s Choice winners by “voting with their dollars” for their favorite chili. The Red Oak Rotary Club took first in this category again, the latest in a years-long string of victories. Red Oak Farmers Market took second place with Sarah’s Chili, and Great Western Bank took third place.

Other competitors were Arlington Place, Amanda Lou’s, Hy-Vee, and the Squadron of Heroes.

Money raised from the People’s Choice competition, along with registration fees and funds from the sale of desserts provided by the Red Oak Parent-Teacher Organization, were donated to the hot lunch program here in Red Oak. This money, more than $1,250, will be used to help pay for lunches for students who have no money in their lunch accounts.

If you were unable to attend the chili cook-off but would like to make a donation to the hot lunch program, please call the central office and find out how to do so. Every child deserves a hot lunch and/or breakfast to get them through the day.