Bonita’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cook-Off is heating back up.
The chili cooking competition’s revival is Sunday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bonita Village Shopping Center, 4180 Bonita Road.
The event was a staple in the community since 1999 when the Bonita Business and Professional Association organized it, but when the organization disbanded last year, so did the cook-off and other key events like Bonitafest, which has also been revived.
Realizing the importance of the event for the community, the Bonita Kiwanis Club and the Bonita Optimist Club joined forces to revive the chili cook-off.
“When the BBPA dissolved, there was nobody to do the event,” said event chair Pat Dolan, who was the former executive director of the BBPA. “So we’re bringing it back and hopefully it will continue for many, many years to come.”
This year’s cook-off hosts eight teams making their best tasting chili.
“The teams have to bring the ingredients and prepare the chili on-site,” Dolan said. “So they’ll be cooking, dicing, slicing and chopping and all that good stuff.”
In previous years, up to 23 teams competed.
A panel of judges that includes elected officials will select the team with the best tasting chili. The winners receive $300, the runners up get $200 and third place is awarded $100.
“We’d like to bring that back up a couple hundred dollars next year,” Dolan said.
The Bonita-Sunnyside fire department will be one of the participating teams.
“Ever since they’ve had the chili cook-off, we’ve always participated in it,” said Chief Tim Isbell.
Isbell said throughout the years his department has won the competition outright and has also won the people’s choice portion.
“The funny thing is we change our recipe almost every year,” he said. “Very rarely do we repeat our winning recipe.”
Attendees can get a wristband to sample the chili for $10.
The public will get to submit their votes for people’s choice, which is a $50 prize, as well as the best decorated booth. Dolan expects the event to draw more than 2,500 people.
Dolan said there is much more to do at the event than just taste chili.
There will be a youth entertainment stage, a kids zone, pony rides and an Equinox laser tag plus food vendors.
“There is just something for everybody,” she said.
Dolan said the event will also include the popular pie-eating contest.
“It’s a great family community event,” she said. “And I hope it keeps going for a long time.”
