DeKalb Habitat Hosts 19th Chili Cookoff Friday In Smithville

Dekalb County Habitat for Humanity will serve up a tasty lunch Friday as a reminder of the work Habitat does in the community.

The 19th Annual Chili Cook-off takes place Friday from 10:30 to 1:00pm in downtown Smithville. Development Committee Member Tecia Pryor said the funds from the event will be spent directly on building more homes in DeKalb County. Pryor said even after 19 years, people still create new varieties of chili.

“I used to think that chili was chili, you know? It all sort of tasted the same,” Pryor said. “But I tell you, over the years I have made a point to go around and sample everybody’s, and it’s amazing to me how different they all taste. I don’t know how we manage to do that.”

Pryor said the event began as a unique way to raise funds in the area. It now serves as a good way to remind the local community what the charity is doing and why it is important. There is also a bake sale alongside the cook-off, with local churches bringing pies, cakes, and other baked goods to the event.

“We served 650 plus people last year for chili, and that was a really great turnout,” Pryor said. “It’s just turned into a great community event over the years that people look forward to.”

Pryor said there will be 20 different teams making their own chili. Several of the teams are completely new, while some have participated every year since the start.