It was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili during the 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off in Checotah on Feb. 22. The community showed up as 21 competitors showed out with some serious spicy chili and some delightful desserts at the Checotah Senior Community Center. The yearly cook-off heated up the town as it brought in locals, visitors and guests to pay a onetime entrance fee to eat all the chili they could hold, along with some tasty desserts and a drink.

The bravest of chefs offered a distinguished panel of judges some interesting array of different kinds of chili – some sweet, some spicy and some even a little surprising with amusing alphabet letters that had the judges giggling with sheer entertainment. As judges finished critiquing the competitors’ chili, the locals with the most discerning of palates put in their votes for the People’s Choice which went to Checotah Gun & Pawn, making them $150 happier.

Some of the most passion- ate of chili enthusiasts went all out on decorating their tables but only two came out on top, with Don Kelly coming in first place ($100) with his Vietnam camouflaged and combatkicking chili table and Kimberly Workman coming in second place ($50) with a Dolly Pardon country theme.

However, it was the sizzling onions, garlic, jalapenos and special seasonings of the reigning champion’s secret recipe that tantalized the taste buds of a whole new panel of judges which had Richard Millsap walking away with $500, reigning supreme once again. Judges included: House of Representatives Tim Turner, R-Kinta, and Neil Hays, R-Checotah, Senator District 8 candidate Hoss Durrett, Checotah Chamber of Commerce office manager Holly Lackey, Cindy Deluse, Robert Rhodes and Mc-Intosh County Democrat office manager La-Donna Brittle-Rhodes.

Sherry Spears, who is running for City Council Ward 1, took home bragging rights for taking 2nd place in the chili cook-off.

The City of Checotah took home 3rd place.

Jerri Holder won the luck of the draw in the adult door prize drawing, winning a 2-night stay at Janssen Park Bed & Breakfast, while Ray-Lynn Tarkington won the kid’s door prize, a Movie Party for Four.

Lanee Easley was the lucky winner of the raffle for the Radical Firearms AR-15 (5.56 Caliber).

This year the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery board was honored to have James Burgess from Soggy Bottom Cattle Company serve as their auctioneer for the evening. Burgess, a direct-to-consumer open range beef producer, was quite the entertainer as he squeezed the dollar signs out of political candidates, business owners and friends all for a great fundraising cause. With a company slogan to buy the beef “Between the Creek and the Cheeks,” no wonder Burgess had everyone engaged in the live auction as he warned people to hurry up and spend their hard-earned dollar bills before the beans in the chili kicked in.

With so many great items to bid on in the live auction and also in a silent auction also held this year, Heartland Heritage secretary Iris Park stated that the Chili Cook-Off did well this year. She also wanted to personally thank all the board members who stepped up to do more than their fair share to make the event a success.

Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery board includes: David Prince, chairman Jamie Spindle-Hilbert, vice chair Iris Park, secretary Imogene Duvall, treasurer Jason Combs, member Jerri Holder, member LaDonna Brittle-Rhodes, member Joey Marion, member Tracy Jackson, member Spring Morrow, member “I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who helped with donations, set up and take down, judging, working the tables, the auctions, the kitchen, etc.” Park said “Thanks to all our volunteers and local leadership showing up. From State Representatives, Checotah Mayor, Checotah City Council members and candidates, McIntosh County Sheriff Kevin Ledbetter, Freedom House ladies, Checotah Art Guild, Jean Gawf, Rodney Stover, Kerri Warren and Danny Warren who is our El Picasso mascot and anyone else I forgot mention who helped in any way. This town truly knows how to show their community spirit and it showed at this year’s 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off.”