When complimented for all the work that goes into making the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad’s annual chili cook-off such a success, event chairman Ron Lambert replied, “Thank you. It is a lot of work but the end product is really great.”

For the fifth year, local organizations gathered at the Piankatank Ruritan Club at Hudgins, exhibiting their skills of preparing chili not just as competitors but also as supporters of the squad. They spend a day or two cooking and then stand for several hours serving their special recipes. They are dedicated men and women extending their knowledge of cooking to help others.

To choose the winning honors there were three judges, basing their selections on color, aroma, consistency, taste and aftertaste, tasting and re-tasting before agreeing on first, second and third places. At the same time, the 425 ticket holders who attended, on a written ballot, selected their favorites. This year, the judges and the chili-eaters agreed on all c...