Quitman Pilot Club chili cookoff a huge success

Posted 2/2/22

A lively crowd flocked to the Quitman Pilot Club’s 18th Chili Cookoff at the Carroll Green Civic Center in Quitman on Friday night, Jan. 28. 

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Quitman Pilot Club chili cookoff a huge success

Posted

A lively crowd flocked to the Quitman Pilot Club’s 18th Chili Cookoff at the Carroll Green Civic Center in Quitman on Friday night, Jan. 28. 

Attendees enjoyed tasting the recipes of the 16 chili contestants who were vying for bragging rights as best chili chef. Chili judges Ken Sharp, Ryan Ogle and Cody Mize had the difficult task of picking the best of the best chili in a blind taste test.

The Best Chili trophy winners were first place, Pott’s Feed Store, who’s been known to capture that spot before. Second place went to Quitman Chamber of Commerce. Third place was won by City National Bank.  

To add an element of fun, each chili booth had the opportunity to decorate, and most went all out in hopes of winning a trophy. The booth judges were Barbara Gaither, Candace Brooks and Steven Palmer. First place  went to the very creative team at Lowe-Gardener Funeral and Cremations who outdid themselves as the Beverly Hillbillies. Wood County Electric Cooperative earned second with their hotdog stand and the third trophy was earned by City National Bank and their tribe of Blue Smurfs.

The People’s Choice trophies are handed out to booths that have earned the most tips from the attendees.  Those tips double as donations to the club. The Links at Land’s End secured first place, the Quitman Lake Fork Kiwanis Club earned second and Bella Floral came in third.

The 2022 Grand Marshal, chosen for his support of the Pilot Club and his dedication to the community was Troy Robinson. Club president Sharon Brooks thanked him for being a longtime friend of Pilots and the community. Robinson then awarded his own favorite booth, Lowe-Gardener Funeral and Cremations, a plaque.

A highlight of the evening was the dessert auction, held by Patricia Hightower and Wood County Prec. 4 commissioner and auctioneer Russell Acker. There was spirited bidding by attendees with funds going to the club.

Musical entertainment was provided by Dale “The C” Cummings, and he had the crowd singing and dancing. The event went smoothly with a little help from a few members of the Quitman Anchor Club and some hardworking youth from Lake Fork Baptist Church.

The chili cook-off is known far and wide as a fun time, but it’s also one of the main fundraisers the Pilots use to fund their service projects

Chairwoman Fonda McBride said, “What a great night. We are grateful to our sponsors, the chili cooks and to all those that attended and supported financially. The money raised will be used well in our communities. Thank you to everyone.” This year it raised about $13,000. 

All funds raised will help support the non-profit and all-volunteer Quitman Pilot Club’s mission of providing education for the prevention of traumatic brain injury and offering services to those suffering from brain related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, stroke and autism, bicycle safety, Project LifeSaver and many others.

Submitted by PAIGE EATON