October 14, 2023
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor, Development Committee Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, Tennessee, Inc
It was a beautiful day for the 19th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, held Friday, October 13, 2023, on the town square and the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Nineteen chili teams participated in the cook-off; over 600 bowls of chili were served; and a record breaking $10,000 was raised for Habitat for Humanity, which will be used to build the next Habitat house in DeKalb County. Habitat officials report that this was again a very successful cook-off, which began in 2004.
“The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing second. Third place chili honors went to “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric.
The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; with “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric coming in second place and “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing third.
The Golden Spoon Award went to “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second and Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm coming in third.
Rounding out the participating teams were: “The Loan Arrangers” from Liberty State Bank; “Top Gunners” from Amvets Ladies Auxiliary Post 101; “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; “Funky Chicken Chili” from DeKalb Prevention Coalition; “FirstBank’s Secret Sauce Chili” from FirstBank; “Galaxy” from Galaxy Ford; Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm; Town and Lake Realty; DeKalb UT Extension; Hywater Title, LLC; “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank & Trust; “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from WY FORGE CO.; “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church; “Silence of the Dems” from DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Legal Limit Spice” from Center Hill Title, LLC/Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney; “Family and Consumer Foodies” from DCHS FCCLA; and “Mom’s Holmes Made Chili” from Holmes Group Inc. In addition, DeKalb Title sponsored the “Treat Tent”.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Matt Adcock and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine local folks who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.
Habitat also thanks the following for their donations: Lucas Antoniak and Mary Ann Puckett for graphic design services; Smithville Food Lion for cheese, crackers and drinks; Dr. Pepper for drinks; Smithville Fire Department for ice; Smithville Electric System for ensuring we had power and putting up the temporary electric pole; Middle Tennessee Natural Gas for tables and chairs; DCHS Tiger Bakery, DeKalb County 4-H and local churches for baked goods.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.