- April 19, 2024
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Steve Cooney, of Cape Coral, was ready for the chili tasters. His son made his special wooden spoon that read “The Pope of Chilitown.”
Peg Puskas and Steven Van Varick represented the Ocoee Lions Club. They were promoting Special Olympics and recruiting volunteers. (Email [email protected]).
Attendees practiced their cornhole techniques prior to the competition.
Cycle Bar representatives Gena Lane, left, John Pinaghi, Adam Drayton and Kaitlin Dylnicki provided chili for participants.
Wally the Warrior poses with PTSO volunteers at the West Orange High School booth.
PTSO volunteers at Horizon High School brought pots of chili to share.
Windermere High School’s PTSO volunteers brought the Wolverine mascot to aid in serving chili.
The Windermere Wolverines and West Orange Warriors squared off at the chili cook-off.
Folks lined up for a sampling of Double J Chili.
Gina Mangiatordi, of the YMCA of Central Florida, served up cups of hot chili.
The Orlando Health drum line kept the beat going.
A deejay kept attendees dancing the entire day.
Kids enjoyed burning off some pent-up energy in the various inflatable obstacle courses in the kids zone.
Sebastian Arenas, 3, loved the view from atop this inflatable slide.
Gracie Kalter, 3, had some serious speed zooming down the slide.
Erin Fox, of reThreads: Foxy Style, displayed a variety of custom artwork at her booth.
The Horizon West Rotary Club wowed attendees with its chili. From left: Claudia Piazera, Stacey Sellaro, Javier Nieves-Taranto and Francisco Nieves-Taranto.
Chili cooks competed for a variety of awards.
A pint-sized Snow White enjoyed a sweet treat at this year’s Chili Cookoff.
The cornhole tournament featured fierce competitors throughout the day.
Legacy Events for Education’ David Terry is also a chili aficionado.
Toby Smith, left, and Joe Haefner, second from left, won the cornhole tournament. They received their trophies from Albert Dukes and Legacy Events for Education’s David Terry.
The Ocoee Lions Club won $200 in the 50/50 raffle.
Chili Cats won the Chili Appreciation Society International Best in Show Award.
Tiffany McCool, of Crystal River, won first place in the Chili Appreciation Society International competition.
First place in the vegetarian category went to Earl Massey, representing Earl’s No Mumbo Jumbo Chili.
Horizon High School won the PTSO chili competition.
Horizon West’s Charles Lerner, left, and his team first place in the open category. This was Lerner’s first competition.
The People’s Choice Award went to Blaine Nelson, middle, who represented Mayson’s Wine Shop in Ocoee.
Despite the forecast for cooler temperatures, the competition was sizzling hot at Legacy Events for Education’s inaugural Central Florida Chili Cookoff, which took place Saturday, Feb. 19, at Hamlin Town Center.
The event featured dozens of amateur and professional chili chefs and their best recipes. In addition to sampling the various chilis, guests enjoyed a kids zone, perusing a variety of vendor booths and marveling at the skill on display at the cornhole tournament.
The event raised funs for the nonprofit, which supports programs and students at West Orange-area high schools.
