Andrews – With snow still blanketing much of downtown, Andrews Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 held the seventh annual Fire in The Valley chili cook-off Saturday at The Blue Stage.
Held annually as a fundraiser for the local VFW post, the event generates funds used for local charities as well as community projects, such as helping veterans and families in need along with providing funds for maintenance and improvements to the local post facility.
With a total of eight contestants, this year’s field of entries were split between return competitors and first-time entrants. The event boasted almost 150 attendees despite the rainy day and remnants of snow on the ground.
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This year’s competition was based on the popular vote and swept by three downtown eateries. Returning champion Duron & Pam Smith of Cups & Cones took first place, while second-time entrants Curt & Leslie Steinlage of Morning Fog placed second and Corey & Kam Thompson of Hoppy Trout Brewing Co. finished third.
Smith’s take on traditional chili once again captured the hearts and taste buds on the heels of the restaurant’s recent closure. They were happy to be able to attend again this year, even though the win was bittersweet – but heartwarming – to the duo, who also had their signature jalapeño cornbread mini-muffins available for sample cups.
Morning Fog’s entry again featured fire-roasted veggies from last year’s recipe, as their chili once again proved a favorite not only on their brick-and mortar-menu.
The Thompsons’ brisket chili topped the scale for Hoppy Trout’s third-place prize, as the couple had a year to perfect their recipe after their 2024 debut.
The cook-off also featured another prominent downtown Andrews restaurant. Shannon West of The Tattered Tartan Pub entered her “At Home for the Boys” recipe, which she said will be added to the pub’s menu as an addition to their popular pub nachos.
Among other first-time entrants were Marca Abernathy & Andra Wilson, who decided to enter “just for fun” while visiting their brother, Lane Catson, to help his recovery from a recent surgery. The sisters came from Alabama and Georgia, respectively, and thought the event would give them a chance to share their favorite recipe and sibling with the community.
Again returning for the event was last year’s People’s Choice winter, LeAnn Weaver, with her “Great Bowls of Fire,” easily the spiciest selection of the samples. When asked about her special touch for the fire, Weaver said, “It’s all the jalapeños. I include everything, seeds and all, which gives it the heat.”
Other first-time entrants included Kelly Blenda and Ron Resch. Blenda said she’d previously entered several competitions in her home state of Ohio, but this was her first time in North Carolina. She dubbed her chili “North Carolina Sweet Heat,” with a blend of various peppers and bacon to complement the tomatoes.
A last-minute entrant, Sue Parker of Marble was proud to showcase her chili, which included her not-so-secret weapon of strip steak in her Texas-style blend of the mostly meaty entry.
Bill Vespasian, in his fourth turn of providing entertainment for the crowds, gave a perfect blend of country, cowboy and soft-rock songs to make the samples go down smoothly. And on hand to provide veterans with information on local assistance and programs was Danna Pash, director of the Cherokee County Veterans Service Office.
Details: Email vfw7620@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/Andrews-VFW-Post-7620.