Chili Cook-Off May Be Frankfort's Antidote To The Polar Vortex

FRANKFORT, IL — Take the edge off the polar vortex's chill at Frankfort's 24th annual Chili Cook Off Saturday afternoon at Breidert Green in Historic Downtown Frankfort.

The contest features amateur and professional cooks who will doling out samples of their best stew (yes, it's a stew!) for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. You may also find samples as hot or as mild as you like it, said Kris Pasquini, the events and communications coordinator at the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce.

"It's not lunch," she teased. "It's just a sample."

Last year, Dancing Marlin took top prize in the professional category. Patrick MacKenzie of Frankfort won first place in the amateur category with his "Chili Mac" recipe.

And Lincoln-Way Marching Band stole the show with its "crowd-pleaser" award for its "A Kiss From A Rose" chili.

Judges this year are chamber members Jason MacAllister of Paragon Tech, Chris Schumann of New Horizons Family Chiropractic and Frank Toland of LincolnWay Commercial Bank.

About 300 come for a bite every year, Pasquini said.

The event is free and open to the public.

The cook-off will be held Sat., Feb. 2 from noon to 2 p.m. at Breidert Green in Frankfort.

Photo via Shutterstock.