Great Lakes Chili Cookoff Comes to Downtown Plymouth on Sunday

This Sunday marks the in downtown Plymouth, which offers tasty chili, games and music from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

According to Annette Horn, cook-off chairwoman, the cook-off began with the help of her husband, as both are competitive chili cooks.

“When we moved to Plymouth, we always thought downtown Plymouth would be a fabulous location for a chili cook-off,” Horn said.

Horn said the event has gained popularity as it attracts people from throughout the Plymouth area. She said the event draws about 15,000 people each year.

“With that many people coming into town for a one-day event, they will be shopping and they will be eating,” said Horn. “The local businesses in town enjoy having the event; they reap the rewards for having it come to town. It is really a win-win.”

Chefs from around the U.S. come to the cookoff with hopes winning the grand prize of $1,000. Not only do the winners get money, they also get to advance to the world championships, which are next fall.

“There are chili cooks from, of course, Michigan,” said Horn. “We have cooks traveling from Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana.”

Horn said that chefs will be judged in three categories that include red chili, chili verde and the salsa. She said cooks must abide by the rules of the competition and if they win they will be advanced to the next competition.

“We will have a restaurant chili challenge, we have 15 local restaurants participating in a best judge category and a people’s choice,” said Horn.

A sanctioned cookoff by the International Chili Society, the cookoff serves as a fundraiser as attendees can donate a dollar for a sample of chili or a $4 donation per bowl.

Not only does this cookoff offer a good time to those that attend, it also will help raise money for local charities: and Penrickton Center for Blind Children.