Chi Phi’s Chili Cook- Off heats up OWU

By John Bonus, Transcript Reporter

Many Ohio Wesleyan organizations made chili hoping to impress judges and win Chi Phi’s annual Chili Cook-Off.

The cook-off is held to raise money for epilepsy research. The event took place Dec. 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Benes Room at Hamilton-William Campus Center.

The cook-off is held in honor of OWU Chi Phi alumnus Aaron Riley ‘11. Riley had epilepsy and died shortly after graduation.

Riley loved chili, which is why Chi Phi does the cook-off in his honor, said senior Hayden Knisley.

People purchased tickets as they entered the cook-off to try the different kinds of chili or participate in different games for prizes.

Several people served as judges, including some professors and staff members from around campus.

Kappa Alpha Theta (Theta) won the judges’ choice for best chili. On the other hand, Alpha Sigma Phi was the winner of the popular vote.

Junior Evelynn Wyatt made the chili that Theta entered for the competition. She said the chili took more 10 hours to cook, but the effort was ultimately worth it.

One of the judges at the competition was Erik Brewer, who works as a barista in the Schimmel-Conrades Science Center. He said he was really impressed with the chili he tried.

“It was really tough to choose between all of them because everyone made good chili,” Brewer said. “They tasted homemade just like my mom used to make.”