By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
With the weather getting colder, it’s the perfect time to warm up with a nice bowl of chili. Downtown Gadsden Inc. invites you to “spice up your Saturday” by attending its annual chili cook-off.
Downtown Gadsden, Inc. will host its ninth annual Chili Cook-off on Saturday, February 6. The tasting will begin at 12 p.m.
The cook-off will be located between 4th and 6th streets on Broad Street in downtown Gadsden.
Visitors are welcome to come and see what’s cooking. The tasting tickets are $1 each or $6 for five. Downtown Gadsden Inc. also encourages visitors to come early and shop downtown.
Applications to enter the chili cook-off will be accepted until February 1. The entry fee is $40 and includes two t-shirts. Additional shirts can be purchased for $5 for sizes extra small through extra large and $8 for sizes 2xl and up. Although applications will be accepted until February 1, the deadline for t-shirt orders is January 22.
Last year, about 30 teams from several states registered making it the biggest cook-off yet.
Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. A crowd favorite will also be named.
Participants in the cook-off may arrive and begin cooking as early as 7 a.m., and the chili must be ready to serve at approximately 12 p.m.
Cooking must be done on-site but the ingredients, such as onions and peppers, may be prepared off-site.
Participants should bring their own butane or cooking burners, but each participant will be provided with one eight feet table and two chairs, tasting cups, napkins and spoons. Participants should keep in mind that there is limited electricity, therefore electrical outlets will only be provided for appliances that you need in order to help prepare you chili.
For more information call Downtown Gadsden, Inc. at 256-547-8696. Registration forms can be picked up at the Downtown Gadsden, Inc. office located at 635 Broad Street or uploaded from the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/981483- 731918313/.