Winners Crowned For 15th Annual 'Great Tuscaloosa Chili Cookoff'

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa welcomed chefs of all sorts Saturday for its 15th annual Great Tuscaloosa Chili Cookoff at the Bryant Conference Center.

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The popular mid-winter event raises funds to support the Exchange Club’s community service efforts, along with its donations to charitable and community support organizations, such as the Miracle League, Police Athletic League, EasterSeals, Hospice of West Alabama, PARA’s All-inclusive Playground at Sokol and Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park.

The Exchange Club Foundation partners with the Exchange Club to produce the Great Tuscaloosa Chili Cookoff, with the foundation awarding grants to local charities totaling $437,000 since the inception of the event.

So, without further ado, here are the winners from annual event ...

Grand Champion Awards:

Grand Champion: OD'd on Chili Transport/ Handi-Care Transportation

2nd Place: Voodoo Chili/Hotel Capstone

3rd Place: Wizards of Chili/ Spire

Honorable Mentions:

• Lagniappe Chili Crew/Alabama Credit Union
• Thread Heads/ McStitches Embellished Goods
• Hot Pursuit/ Tuscaloosa County Sheriffs Office

People's Choice Awards

1st Place: Tuscaloosa Toxic Chili/ Tuscaloosa Firefighters Local 403

2nd Place: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama

3rd Place: Hot Pursuit/Tuscaloosa County Sheriffs Department

Creative Awards:

Bill Tate Best Booth Award: M*A*S*H* 4077th Swamp Stew/Kiwanis Club of Greater Tuscaloosa

Honorable Mention: Party Marty's/Queen City Title

Best Costume: Taco 'Bout Da Best Chili/Bryant Bank

Honorable Mention: Lagniappe Chili Crew/Alabama Credit Union

David Reynolds Showmanship Award: The Hard Hats/Child Abuse Prevention Services

Honorable Mention: The Posse/Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

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