Chili cookoff kicks off in KOTA Territory - KOTA Territory News

Chili cookoff kicks off in KOTA Territory

 Also part of the Custer State Park Festivities is the 23rd Annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cookoff.

Seventeen different groups stirred and boiled their way into the hearts and stomachs of the art festival attendees, but there could only be one first place winner , and the prize went to Betty Boop's patriotic chili.

They won $500 and bragging rights for an entire year.

Second place went to Fired up Conservatives, third place went to Bugling Bull Restaurant, and the showmanship prize which was the best dressed and decorated booth, went to the Gold Smugglers.

Park goers could taste test and vote on their favorite chili for three dollars and two dollars for children.

Custer Area Chamber Office Manager Robin Bagley says the chili cookoff adds to the theme and festivities of the weekend, and more specifically her appetite. "It has to have a good meat to bean ratio, now international chili cookoffs they don't let you put beans in it, but we're not internationally sanctioned so we do like beans in our chili here," said Bagley. "So for me I like beans to meat ratio and I like heat, but not so much that I can't taste anything else.

Proceeds from the chili cookoff help support the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive.