The annual ChiliFest hosted by the Arts Council of Plant City pitted local amateur chefs against each other to win the hearts of attendees and judges sampling their unique recipes.
The festival is hosted to raise money for the Arts Council and each year participating organizations cook mild, spicy and novelty chili with special homemade recipes in hopes of walking away with a trophy.
Local celebrities City Manager Bill McDaniel, Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis and former Rep. Dan Raulerson volunteered as the guest judges. The money raised go toward scholarships and art programs in local schools and the greater Plant City community.
On top of providing special scholarships, the Arts Council presents the Plant City sculpture exhibits, the new “Welcome to Historic Downtown Plant City” banners, Artist in the classroom for Empty Bowls with the United Food Bank of Plant City and visual arts education programs at the James Ranch Center.
Winners:
People’s Choice
Amber Tew- Holloway Heat’s spicy chili
Mild
First Place – Walden Lake Car Wash, Frank Cummings
Second Place – Darrell Hovarter, Darrin’s Rootin Tootin Chili
Novelty
First Place – 911 Catering, Chef Mike and Chef John
Second Place – Joe Knox – Joe and Nick
Spicy
First Place – Focus Magazine
Second Place – Corey Canfield, Slick Fork Chili