Chilly weather means chili weather in Destin the as the Emerald Coast Parrot Head Club gears up to launch their 10th Annual Chili Cook Off at the HarborWalk Village on Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The competition will see local restaurants and individual participants go head-to-head with gallons of pallet-warming goodness.
“We do a restaurant and an individual category,” said HarborWalk Village Content Manager Marissa Marinan. “Contestants have to make 10 gallons worth of chili, but we provide an $80 stipend and all of the cups and spoons and things so they just pretty much have to bring the chili.”
The call is out for more participants in both categories as Marinan told The Log that the average number of contestants is 20 and the current applications show 15.
“We will take as many participants as we can,” she said. “We have prizes for first, second and third place in both categories and there will also be a people’s choice award.”
Tyler Jarvis of Jackacudas is one of the contestants and said this is the first year his restaurant is participating in the event.
“We are excited to take part in the event and let others try our chili,” he said. “We are making a white bean chili with smoked duck meat. It will be different than your traditional red sauce chili; a lot more savory. We like to do things a little different, and we love duck. It’s something we serve here and there as a special at the restaurant. It’s a darker meat and takes on a lot flavors so it will be a good accent.”
The public is invited to join in on the fun and enjoy the tasty chili samples while jamming to live music on the harbor.
“It’s a really fun day we have live music on the main stage,” said Marinan. “It’s fun but there is still a sense of competition and people can enjoy the chili while walking around in the sun on the boardwalk.”
Armbands cost $10 in advance or $15 at the gate with proceeds benefitting Horizons on the Emerald Coast and the American Cancer Society.
For more information, to purchase a ticket or to enter the cook off visit www.ecparrotheads.org.