DGI Chili Cook-Off Winners Named

DGI 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off First Place Team: Logjammin'

(Gadsden, AL - January 8, 2010) Downtown Gadsden, Incorporated Executive Director Kay Moore says Saturday's weather was perfect for the Third Annual DGI Chili Cook-Off. Temps in the thirties with snow flurries and winds whipping up and down Broad Street in Historic Downtown Gadsden Saturday morning.

According to Moore, more than 600 tickets were sold to patrons who braved the cold and craved the spicy and warm delicacy of more than 10 varieties of chili.

Five judges scored showmanship award and best chili, while the team who collected the most tickets was awarded the "Crowd Favorite" award.

Winning teams were announced following the competition:

Showmanship Award: The Brew Crew
Crowd Favorit: The Brew Crew
Third Place, Best Chili: Great Bowls of Fire, Sponsored by The Southern Bank Company
Second Place: Chip Churn and the Chili Dippers (Z-93)
First Place: Logjammin'

Last year's first place team, Chip Churn and the Chili Dippers won second place. Former Gadsden Mayor Steve Means, First Place Winner from the first annual cook-off was present, but did not compete.

Moore says events like First Friday and the Chili Cook-Off would not be as successful without volunteers, patrons, judges and participants. "We look forward to the Fourth Annual Downtown Gadsden Chili Cook-Off next year!" she say.

Some merchants said they were impressed with the turnout for the cook off. "We had a large number of folks from the Chili Cook-off come into our store Saturday morning," says Brian McDaniel of Hicks Shoes. "We actually had a better response from the cook-off than this month's First Friday," he continued, "but, I'm sure the First Friday crowds will be picking up as soon as the temperatures do!"

The next First Friday is scheduled for Friday, March 5th.