Sertoma Chili Cook-Off celebrates 41st year, Hyspeco, Inc. wins grand championship

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·3 min read

About 7,000 chili-lovers lined up at the Springfield Expo Center this weekend for the 41st annual Sertoma Chili Cook-Off.

The chili cook-off was Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosted by the Sertoma Clubs of Springfield. The 61 chili teams participating were asked to make at least 10 gallons of chili, starting their process on Saturday morning around 6:30 a.m. According to Sertoma Chili Cook Off administration, around $100,000 was raised for the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield.

This year's grand champion was Hyspeco, Inc., a Springfield-based distributor of hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-mechanical and fluid connector components. Hyspeco Store Manager Nate Ervin described the company's entry as a "standard, traditional" beef chili, based on a recipe by employee Dan Peacock. Five of the company's employees volunteered to help make and distribute the chili on Saturday.

From left to right, Hyspeco employees Bailey, Nate Ervin, Dan Peacock, Chris Garrett and Taylor Dotson pose for a photo with their Grand Champion trophy and the awards announcer at the Sertoma Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. 61 teams were a part of the competition.
From left to right, Hyspeco employees Bailey, Nate Ervin, Dan Peacock, Chris Garrett and Taylor Dotson pose for a photo with their Grand Champion trophy and the awards announcer at the Sertoma Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. 61 teams were a part of the competition.

As this year's winner, Hyspeco, Inc. may compete in the International Chili Society World Championship Chili Cook-Off. This international cook-off, celebrating its 55th year, will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in September.

In addition to the Sertoma Chili Cook-Off's official judges, guests were able to vote for their favorite chili.

This year's people's choice award was given to Titan Title & Closing, a property tax and insurance management company. Last year, Titan Title & Closing was the Sertoma Chili Cook-Off grand champion and went on to place fifth in the International Chili Society World Championship Chili Cook-Off.

From left to right, Chad Viele, Christina "Sam" Baird and Melinda Heard pose for a photo with their People's Choice trophy during the Sertoma Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.
From left to right, Chad Viele, Christina "Sam" Baird and Melinda Heard pose for a photo with their People's Choice trophy during the Sertoma Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

"The Sertoma Chili Cook-Off is an event that we decided to join because it directly (helps) the children, and that is important," Titan Title & Closing General Manager Sam Baird told the News-Leader in an email. "It is an event that we thoroughly enjoy being a part of, and we have a great time seeing all of our supporters. Plus, they have good taste!"

While the chili is the event's main draw, creative booths and costumes are also rewarded. This year, the Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.'s team team took the crown for both Best Booth and Best Costume with their Game of Thrones-inspired decorations and attire. Associated Electric Cooperative Senior Planning Engineer James Vermillion said the team began work on its booth and costumes in November 2022.

AECI's Chili Cook-off Team also took home the Judges' Best of Show and Fattest Fishbowl for large businesses. Fattest Fishbowl prizes are awarded to teams that raise the most money for local children's categories.

The AECI Chili Cook-Off Team was founded in 2001 by Tony Alexander, who cooked the team's chili for 19 years before retiring and passing the torch. This year, AECI employee Jake Reed cooked the chili for the first time, Vermillion said.

Other awards received at the cook-off include:

  • Rookie of the Year: Archie's Lounge

  • Best Chili Sponsor: Titan Title & Closing

  • Best Chili Non-Profit/Group: Abou Ben Adhem Shriners

  • Best Chili Small Business: Blush Studio

  • Best Chili Mid-Size Business: Jackson Hewitt

  • Best Chili Large Business: Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance

  • Best Chili Restaurant: Gettin' Basted

  • Showmanship: Ozark Mountain Parrot Heads

  • Fattest Fishbowl Sponsor: Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma

  • Fattest Fishbowl Non-Profit: Ozark Mountain Parrot Heads

  • Fattest Fishbowl Small Business: Classic Lawns

  • Fattest Fishbowl Mid-Size Business: 417 Travel

  • Fattest Fishbowl Restaurant: Archie's Lounge

The Sertoma Chili Cook-Off also recognizes those who have participated in the competition for several decades. This year, Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance and Heart of America Beverage were recognized for 40 years of participation. MSU Chemistry, Ozark Mountain Parrot Heads, Hiland Dairy, AECI's Chili Cook-Off Team and Drury University's Sigma Nu were recognized for 20 years of participation.

The Sertoma Clubs of Springfield's next annual event is Wingapalooza on Nov. 4, celebrating its 21st year. For more information or to purchase early-bird tickets, visit the Wingapalooze website at winga.net/2020/.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Sertoma Chili Cook-Off celebrated its 41st anniversary this weekend