Rotary Chili Cookoff Full of Flavor

I wasn’t really sure what to expect at Sunday afternoon’s Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary Chili Cook-off. But I quickly learned it was important to bring my appetite, a big spoon and some Tums.

at Fairview Park was full of flavor… both in the chili and the cooks.

You couldn’t help but be drawn to the Sgt. Chili Peppers Lonely Heartburn Band and their “Let It Bean” chili concoction. The two brothers and two other friends are diehard Beatles fans and prepare in their spare time four recipes each year for the Cookoff.

“We’re local guys and figure it’s something to do on a non-Steelers Sunday afternoon,” Neil Merhaut said.

Wearing marching band coats, Merhaut, Mike McGovern and brothers Rich Hanzlik and Bob Hanzlik said they enjoy cooking up chili while “goofing around” with different flavors and ingredients. But they were just a few of the 20 different stands offering delicious dishes.

The contestants included local restaurants, businesses, churches and residents.

Glenn Schillo, the Rotary Club’s chili chairman, said the annual Cook-off is growing every year and becoming a nice community event. He said it’s an important fundraiser for the South Fayette-Bridgeville Rotary Club and the groups it supports.

“It’s a nice blend of vendors,” Schillo said. “It can still grow.”

KDKA-TV news personalities Jim Lokay and Dennis Bowman were two of the guest judges. They selected Papa Gallo, Cactus Sting Chili and as the best recipes. The “people’s choice” award went to Papa Gallo.

The cooks at , however, ran out of chili earlier that a few other groups. Instead, they handed out much-need Tums to anyone who approached.