Chili cooks, ready your recipes

Preparations for the fifth annual Atenas chili championship are heating up. The big cook-off will be Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Quinta Romavista in Barrio Mercedes. Anyone who thinks they can cook a winning batch of chili is encouraged to compete.

The chili championship was founded by Kay Costello of Atenas’ popular Kay’s Gringo Postres to settle customer debates over who makes the best, hottest, thickest or most authentic chili. All proceeds go to help the Hogar de Vida home for children.

Last year’s championship produced 20 varieties of chili, and about 2,000 patrons came to sample the hot stuff and select a winner. 

Anyone who thinks they have a champion chili recipe can check www.atenaschilicookoff.com for entry information.

–Mitzi Stark