Taste buds will be taunted as people sample some top-secret recipes at this weekend’s chili festival.
The Okotoks Chili Fest and Cook Off will have as many as 16 competitors vying for the top chili prize on Aug. 27.
Multiple prize-winner RE/MAX Signature Properties is breaking out its “most wanted” chili once again, and broker/owner Wendy Langton is tight-lipped about what’s in the pot.
“We’re proud of our chili,” is what she did say. “We are going all out once again and if we can win that’s great.”
Langton said RE/MAX has been entering the festival on and off for four years.
Each time, they return with the same recipe and win either people’s choice or best flavour, she said.
Preparing for the festival is a lot of work, which often begins weeks before the chili hits the streets.
“It’s a big job,” Langton said. “It takes a lot of people. There is the heating up of the chili, preparation of the booth and decorating.”
Despite the amount of work involved, Langton enjoys the opportunity to team up with her co-workers and serve up the public the day of the festival.
“We’ve got such a great office anyway, but it does bring people together who might not see each other on a daily basis who have a home office,” she said. “It’s just fun to be a part of the community.”
The chili cook-off is organized by the Dr. Morris Gibson School council as a fundraiser for new equipment to make its playground more accessible to children of various abilities, said council member Sian Anderson.
Last year’s 14 teams served up samples in 1,500 cups and raised about $8,000 towards the purchase of two swings.
Last week, the team count was already at 16, including service groups, politicians, teachers and business people, said Anderson.
The Chili Fest and Cook Off is a great way to raise money while getting the community involved, she said.
“It’s a fun event to go to whether you enjoy eating the chili or not,” she said. “There is a lot to see and a lot to do. For us it was a great opportunity to be more involved in the community.”
In addition to chili tasting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Town of Okotoks will add to the western-themed event with children’s activities, live music, zumba, line dancing and the Market Square artisans market.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out,” said Mark Doherty, community events specialist. “You can stroll the street. There is great downtown merchants, as well as the artisans at MarketSquare. There is great entertainment and a great day to be downtown.”
Doherty said the chili festival is a treat.
“It’s a fun competition to see them dress up their booths and to get into character and for $5 you can eat a lot of chili,” he said.
“These individuals who come in for the chili cook-off component are doing this on their own time to give back to the community.”
Compost bins will be on site to dispose of the bowls and spoons, as well as recycle bins for cans and bottles and garbage bins.
Elizabeth Street will be closed from Centre Avenue to Elk Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information go to okotoksculture.ca
