Cooking up a winner
The Marion County Chili Cook-off and Car Show continues to be a great fundraiser for The Cornerstone School
Thousands of guests kicked up the red dirt floor of the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion on Nov. 5 in search of their favorite chili during the 41st annual Marion County Chili Cook-off.
The event, which is a fundraiser for The Cornerstone School, featured local chili chefs serving up samples of their special recipe from inside brightly decorated booths. The guests rotating from booth to booth could place a ticket in a container to “vote” for their favorite chili.
In a special section of the grandstands, official judges tasted every entry (designated only by a number) in successive rounds until a final tally was achieved.
The event also included activities for children, entertainment and a car show, which also was judged.
As the dust settled in late afternoon, these winners were announced:
Judged Chili
Grand Champ – Florida Twirling Academy
First Runner-up – Brookdale Senior Living
Second Runner-up – Big Lees BBQ
Judged Booth
Grand Champ – AdventHealth Ocala
First Runner-up – Happy Bubble Team
People’s Choice Chili
Grand Champ – Marion County Fire Rescue
First Runner-up – Ocala Fire Rescue
People’s Choice Booth
Grand Champ – Magnolia Homestead Realty
1st Runner Up – Marion County Fire Department
Trapper Ron Morgan Spirit Award – National Junior Honor Society Cornerstone School
Best in Car Show
Jon Kister, 1970 Chevy Camaro
People’s Choice in Car Show
E.O. Zimmerman, 1966 Chevy Malibu
To learn more, go to marioncountychilicookoff.com