St. John’s United Church of Christ on Columbia Avenue in Palmerton held its fourth annual chili cook-off, basket raffle, and food sale Saturday.

Eight contestants of varying ages entered to show off their finest chili-making abilities.

“This is a great way to shake off those post-holiday blues. Nothing like some hot chili to warm up with in the cold winter months,” said event organizer and Sunday School teacher Amy Frohnheiser-Brown. “We all enjoy connecting with old and new friends here at this event,” she added.

The event had to be rescheduled to the end of the month, due to winter weather. “The weather was uncooperative when we first had the cook-off scheduled, but we got it in today,” said Frohnheiser-Brown. It was chilly outside weather wise, and delicious chili was being served inside.

Top prize at the cook-off was $300 and bragging rights, added Frohnheiser-Brown. Contestants had their choice of adding any kind of meat, flavor, and spicy level to their chili. Each was equipped with electric slow cookers to keep the chili warm and ready to serve with utensils, and other essentials to hand out to tasters at the event.

For $5, tasters could eat as much chili as they liked, and then write down their favorite.

In addition to the chili cook-off, a food sale and a basket raffle were held, with 40 different baskets given away. Some of the baskets included items like cash prizes, gift cards to local businesses, lotion and other skincare products, and Labubu and other kids’ toys.

Other food items for sale at the event included meatball subs, hot dogs, and homemade desserts. All proceeds from the chili cook-off, basket raffle, and food sale go to the church fund.

For more information about upcoming events at the church, call 610-826-2050, or search St. John’s UCC - Palmerton on Facebook.