The 23rd annual Chili Cook-off was held on Jan. 22, and this year’s was an event to remember for those who entered and attended to taste each booth’s effort. 

There were 12 booths altogether, and each had a different flavour to offer the 400-plus guests that attended – chili spoon in hand. 

There were many great booths entered this year, but the winner, hand picked by a team of judges, was the Whistler’s Inn Chilean Miners. The miners had a make-shift mine shaft, complete with countdown calendar and a scoop to reach the chili and deliver it to tasters. 

Second place for best booth went to the Jasper Inn for their western-style booth, third was CIBC’s Deal or No Deal decorations, complete with a Howie Mandel impersonator. Honourable mention was the Rock’n Chili Chicks from Jasper Motorcycle Tour who rocked out like KISS for the night. 

There were many great chili batches entered this year, but the number one prize went to the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre. Second place was the Jasper Inn again, third went to the Jasper Park Lodge and honourable mention was “Bearheart” or the Bear’s Paw and Other Paw Bakery. The people’s choice award went to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Following the awards, DJ Tommy K entertained the crowd with a dance party late into the evening.