After keeping the peace at Okotoks’ ChiliFest for almost a decade, an officer hopes to fire things up this year. Sgt. Peace Office Peter Stapley is competing in the annual chili cook-off this weekend with plans to spice up his own recipe. Stapley’s team, consisting of administrative assistant Angela Clay and enforcement officer Dakota Zurowski, is one of 14 competing in the annual summer event on Elizabeth Street Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “I’ve cooked chili a lot in the past but I modified my recipe,” said Stapley. “Apparently, competition chili is different than what you cook at home. People are looking for something spicy. I don’t normally do spicy so I’ll put some chilies in there.” When cooking his own chili on a Dutch oven at home, Stapley often tosses in plenty of veggies. He learned that when it comes to competitions, a different approach is needed. “I usually put a lot of different items in chili, but apparently the competition calls them filler and you should avoid them,” he said. “It’s more a basic recipe with a lot of spices.” In future years, Stapley hopes to get a friendly competition going by challenging the culinary skills of RCMP and firefighters. “I would like to see a mini competition within the competition for emergency services,” he said. “I’m hoping to start a tradition of getting more emergency services involved as a yearly, ongoing event.” Stapley says it’s all in good fun. “I’m not there to win,” he said. “To me, it’s about being at the event and being part of the community and having a fun time.” Those looking to sample the 14 chili concoctions must pay $5 for a bowl. The spoons and bowls are compostable with appropriate disposal containers on site. The 500 pounds of ground beef is donated by Cargill Foods. The event also offers a line-up of musicians on the Calgary Stampede Stage and an artisan vendors market. There are prizes for various categories in the cook-off and a plaque to hang on the wall in the Elks Hall. “It’s a fun day,” said Mark Doherty, Okotoks community events specialist. “This is an opportunity to give back to the community.” The proceeds will be split between four Okotoks service groups: the Lions, Legion, Elks and Kinsmen clubs. “Once word got out it was the four service groups a lot of businesses wanted to show support to that,” Doherty said. “Every nickel that goes to those service groups goes back to the community.” Legion member Terri England, who is helping to organize the event, said the teams consist of businesses, politicians, municipal enforcement and service clubs. “It’s very competitive,” she said. “I know people are going to tease each other.” With the proceeds going to service groups, it puts that money back into the community, said England. “It means a lot,” she said. “We recently bought the Foothills Country Hospice a bed so the patient’s spouse can sleep with them. By doing the ChiliFest we can give back more to the community.”
