Chili enthusiasts who competed in the Highland Baptist Christian School Great Chili Challenge at City Park Saturday all hoped to come out on top like the Community First Bank booth, crowned Grand Champions.

But for all involved, winning is not everything — the event is about “good, clean fun.”

“Our purpose isn’t to raise money,” said Lisa Riffey, a school employee who helped organize the challenge. “It’s an alcohol-free event that’s all about the community.”

(Use arrows above to view more photos) Advertisement

Sandy Gachassin of the Sandy’s Place booth and her son Warren Gachassin Jr. may be in it for the community fun, but taking first place in the Hold on to your Hat (hottest chili) category and nabbing third place in the Taster’s Choice category help-ed them to achieve their other goal — “taking home the hat.”

“I’m speechless,” said Tony Piontek as he tasted the chili from Sandy’s Place. “This had to be the very best of the chili out here.”

Piontek walked over to the Chili Challenge from the Boy Scout campout, held at the same time as the chili cookoff each year.

The Chili Challenge had 18 chili participants at the park Saturday, while several other booths of students raising money for school activities sold hot dogs and other items.

“It’s all about good, clean fun out here,” said Barry Dorsey, a member of The Followers church baseball team. “This year’s been really good so far. Tiresome, but relaxing at the same time.”

Dorsey and the Followers took home second place in the Heart Healthy category.

This year marks the first year the Christian school was able to involve the Highland Baptist Church, which offered balloons and face painting in addition to the chili of all kinds being served throughout the day.

Last year’s event brought a crowd of between 3,000 and 3,500 people, said Chili Challenge co-chairman Darren Stroud, with this year’s event expected to have a better turnout than last year.

“We’ve sold out of just about every chili that’s out here,” Stroud said a few minutes before the winners were announced. “That’s a good sign.”

Here are the winners from the Highland Baptist Christian School Great Chili Challenge:

Grand Champions: Community First Bank.

Family Style:

- 1st Place: Teche Federal Bank.

- 2nd Place: First Baptist Church.

- 3rd Place: Centerpoint Energy.

Heart Healthy:

- 1st Place: Bon Amis

- 2nd Place: The Followers.

- 3rd Place: Highland Baptist Church Youth Group.

Taster’s Choice:

- 1st Place: Quail Tools.

- 2nd Place: Highland Baptist Church Youth Group.

- 3rd Place: Sandy’s Place.

Hold on to your Hat (hottest chili):

- 1st Place: Sandy’s Place.

- 2nd Place: McIlhenny (Tabasco).

- 3rd Place: Freyou, Moore and Associates.