David Brickner, Chris Jernigan, and Wayne Giese (from left) enjoy tasting the amateur chili entries at the 2024 ACC Chili Cook Off.
From family rivalries to local restaurant competitors, dozens of participants will face off on March 13 to take the title for this year’s best chili. Main Street’s Kasey Goodfellow said the Morganton Community House is sure to be packed as chili lovers come out for community and basketball highlights.
Goodfellow has been planning the event for six years for the Downtown Development Association, and this year will mark year 32 of the annual event to raise funds to support downtown businesses. The funds go toward the annual Christmas Parade, Halloween Spooktacular, and workshops for local business owners.
Planning usually kicks off a couple of months before the event to make sure the Community House is set to welcome hundreds of guests, and that restaurants are on board to prepare chili for the event. Each year, about 10 restaurants compete against each other to win the professional title.
This year’s participating restaurants include Pat’s Snack Bar, Moondog Pizza, Limbertwig Cafe, The Olive, Abele’s Family Restaurant, Blackbox Sandwiches, and the Cranford Brothers, who will soon be opening a restaurant on West Union Street.
“They bring like 4 gallons of their chili in the morning, and we have it all lined up for our judges to try those and our amateur chilis,” Goodfellow said.
There’s also a winner for the amateur chili category, and oftentimes family rivalries keep the contest exciting. One popular rivalry at past cook offs has been between brother and sister, Chris and Susan Cato, children of Councilwoman Wendy Cato.
The 2024 ACC Chili Cookoff was a hit. This year’s event promises to be as well.
Whoever wins the amateur title will compete with the commercial winner for the grand chili trophy. Last year, Countryside BBQ took the title, with Abele’s as the runner-up.
But who decides? Suzy Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Nursery creates a panel of about a dozen judges, who range from regular downtown restaurant goers to devout chili connoisseurs. In the mix are representatives from event sponsors, which this year include Dalton Walters from Mimosa Insurance Agency, the event’s presenting sponsor. Officers from Morganton Department of Public Safety are in the mix, too, Goodfellow said.
This year, everyone will be able to cast a vote for their favorite “attendee’s choice” chili, Goodfellow said. Voters often prefer a classic chili, and other times they enjoy chili with extra ingredients like cactus or chocolate, Goodfellow said.
Doors will open at the Community House from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13. This year, DDA is encouraging people to purchase their tickets online through the city’s website, which are $10 for all-you-can-eat chili. The ticket also includes cornbread, salad, dessert, and a drink. Tickets can also be purchased from DDA board members, the Main Street Office, or at the door the day of the event.
For those who can’t make it to the event, chili is available to-go, and the Community House always makes extra to deliver to local businesses, Goodfellow said.
Those who do attend will be able to watch ACC tournament highlights and play interactive basketball games to win Downtown Bucks. The red-hot chili pepper mascot, which Goodfellow brought to the event, will also be in the house for those wanting a photo-op.
The event provides vital resources to downtown businesses, Goodfellow said, adding that the Downtown Development Association puts money back into the businesses by bringing popular seasonal events, Small Business Saturday, and workshops on social media techniques and other programs to help businesses grow their presence and reach.
“This event is so special because it really brings our community together,” Goodfellow said. “We see people just chit-chatting, enjoying the chili, and it’s just a really sweet event. I’m always so tickled to see so many different community members attend.”
This year the event is presented by Mimosa Insurance Agency, and is sponsored by Pepsi, James Tool, Cindy Hogston Real Estate, Morganton Ponds & Hardscapes, CoMPAS X-Stream, Food Matters Market & Cafe, KICKS 103.3, W. Donald Haugen, Morganton Savings Bank, and Hannah’s Wash Dry Fold.
“We never know what the weather is going to be, but we always like to say that if you’re chilly, come warm up with us and have a warm bowl of chili,” Goodfellow said.
