A standing room only, sold-out crowd attended the 27th Annual Chili Cookoff at the Coal Creek Hall on January 24.

Photo by Anne Scarffe

Cups await the chips that will determine the winners of the Chili Cookoff.

Photo by Anne Scarffe

Drew Rathbun and Tina Ramos brought green chili to the cookoff.

Photo by John Scarffe

Moriah Hathaway-Casey, left, organized the 27th Annual Chili Cookoff at the Coal Creek Canyon Hall on January 24.

Photo by John Scarffe

Norma Cassin and Janice Batt were among those with vegetarian chili at the Coal Creek Chili Cookoff on January 24. Norma won the category.

Photo by John Scarffe

The table against the Coal Creek Canyon Hall's north wall featured both green and red chili.

Photo by John Scarffe

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COAL CREEK CANYON — Before opening the door to the Coal Creek Hall, you could hear the noise from a crowd of people talking and laughing, and you could smell the chili.

The Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association hosted their 27th Annual Chili Cookoff at the Hall, 31528 Highway 72. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 5 - 7 p.m.

Moriah Hathaway-Casey organized the event and said, “We had a sold-out turnout! It was a fun filled night filled with all the flavors of the canyon.”

After entering the Hall, guests were given a large mug imprinted with “CCCIA 27th Annual Chili Cook off.” They were also given chips to vote with for their favorite chili in each category: Green, Vegetarian, Red and Texas (with no beans). An overall winner would also be chosen.

Guests could also purchase tickets, one for a $5 donation and five tickets for $20. A table of donated prizes from the sponsors included offerings from Canyon Coffee, Strongwater, Busey Brews, Wondervu Café, and the Canyon Tavern.

The 16 contestants with their chili lined the walls on both sides and in the back of the Hall. Each had a crock pot of chili and paper cups for people to taste the chili. Tables were set up in the middle for the tasters. The room was full, with most people standing and eating chili from the various chili pots.

Moriah called for all votes to be in after 6 p.m. When the counting was concluded, winners were announced:

Green Chili = Drew Rathbun

Vegetarian = Norma Cassin

Texas Chili = Katie Groom

Red Chili = Hybre Thorn

Over-all #1 Chili = Brent Lee

United Power was the event’s overall sponsor. The event also had 11 community partners including those listed above.

For more information, go to CCCIA80403@gmail.com; see the organization’s website at coalcreekcanyon.org; or check out Facebook at facebook.com/CoalCreekCanyonImprovementAssociation or Instagram at @coalcreekcanyoncccia.