The fiery food on offer at the Chatham VFW Saturday nicely offset the somewhat chilly weather outside.
At the first annual Chatham Chili Cookoff, a large crowd sampled a dozen different chilis from local restaurants and chefs. Many of the people slurping the concoctions from small sampling bowls said they were happy to get out and see friends and neighbors in a social setting after long months of self-imposed lockdown.
Along with raising money for Monomoy Community Services and the Chatham Children's Fund through raffles and 50/50 auctions, the event allowed participants to vote for their favorite chili in three categories. In the professional category, the first-place winner was Mom and Pops Burgers, and second place went to the Red Nun, with Lily's Cafe coming in third. Lily's also captured the top vote for best vegetarian chili. In the amateur category, Brad Boyd capture first place, followed by Chatham Police Sergeant Bill Massey and Tammy Atwood.