Good weather, good times and most importantly good chili were in ample supply at the Chili Lovers Society annual chili cookoff at the Fort Museum Sunday.
Sixteen teams of cooks each spent the morning perfecting their perfect blend of meat, spices, beans and sauce in hopes of winning the judges' and the public's favor for the Best Chili and Peoples' Choice trophies.
The teams had only two simple rules: no fillers besides beans, and no pre-prepared ingredients- everything was prepared fresh on site.
But while some were perfecting their stews, others were readying their performances for the Wayne Goodno Memorial Showmanship trophy.
The MacRunnel family took second place for the award last year, they said, and hoped to take home the winning trophy this year with their rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
But the contest wasn't about winning, said Mable MacRunnel.
"It's about the people, the chili and the all-around fun," she said.
Others were a little more completion oriented, set on taking home a chili trophy after years of competing.
Jacob Davidson, of Davidson's Lawns and Landscapes, said he knew "I'm going to place, I already know it."
"I've done this with my dad for four years and out of that we've placed three years."
Davidson had his own skit for showmanship award, involving King Habenero pulling the sword Excalibur out of the tomato paste can. But he wasn't as confident in the skit as he was in his chili.
"It's kind of on the back burner but we'll see how it goes."
Other teams came for more than the chili and the fun, but to get the word out about their causes.
Pheasants Forever cooked up a batch of white chili, made from pheasant meat, for two reasons, according to the group.
First, to show all the things that can be made with pheasant and also to gather support for Iowa's Water and Land Legacy Amendment.
"We're making a commitment to come out and represent ourselves here every year," said member Rob Hagen.
The group won two first place prizes for showmanship award and the judges Best Chili award, but members knew they could have won the event's new chili speed-eating contest with their team member Stormy, a yellow Labrador retriever.
"She wanted to enter the contest, but she's in training right now," said Hagen.
The group also won second place in the Peoples' Choice Award.
"The crowd embraced us, they knew what we were about and they loved us," said Hagen.
Good chili and good times are what it's all about, according to the contestants.
"Good weather or bad weather, we always have a good time. We've even been out here in sleet before," said Nick Meyer, of Troy Waller Auto Body's team.
"We go for good chili, and we put all our effort into that," added his team member, Breck Imhoff.
Contact Ian Schmit at (515) 573-2141 or ischmit@messengernews.net
