Round Top Library Holds Chili Cook-Off
The Round Top Family Library’s 20th Annual Chili Cook-Off held on Sunday, January 19, 2025 had a tremendous turnout with over 794 attendees, of which approximately 125 were children under 12. This annual event, which has become a beloved community tradition, raised vital funds to support the library’s operations and its extensive programs for all ages.
A total of 25 cooking teams competed for top honors in various categories, each bringing their unique flavors and creativity to the chili pots. The competition was fierce, with many teams showcasing their culinary skills, but in the end, the following winners stood out: Traditional Division:
1st Place: Compass Lifestyle Ranch and Home Group, Team Captain Rick Doak.This was their first time to compete in the Chili Cook-Off.
2nd Place: Sons of the American Legion Post 242, Team Captain Lloyd Vancil. What a winning day for Lloyd Vancil - 2nd Place in Traditional, 1st Place in Open, and he won the Gun Raffle. Big Smiles on Lloyd’s face at the end of the day.
3rd Place: Big Daddy Blue, Team Captain Amy Dooley. This was their second year to take home one of the top 3 places in this division.
Open Division:
1st Place: Sons of the American Legion Post 242, Team Captain Lloyd Vancil 2nd Place: Round Top State Bank Million Dollar Chili, Team Captain Lyndsey Vasek 3rd Place: IBSCO, Team Captain Richard Scroggins People’s Choice Award: The People Have Spoken, Again. The highly sought after People’s Choice Award was awarded to Team Masonjay, with Marcos Hernandez serving as Team Captain. For a second year in a row, Marco and his wife Flower and their two sons wowed the crowds with their Cuban-influenced chili recipe. The fans loved it, especially with all the special toppings they used.
Showmanship Award:
Let’s not ever forget how important the presentation is for cooking teams’ booths and for a second year in a row, those creative types of Round Top Road Chili Co. did it again. Under the leadership of Team Captain Ginna Klein, Round Top Road Chili Co. took home this special honor for their over the top, creative chili cook-off booth. Crowds swarmed their booth all day long, enjoying their creativity and hospitality.
Golden Spoon Awards
Two Golden Spoon Awards were handed out this year. These awards recognize the individual and the cooking team that raise the most funds for the Chili Cook-Off.
The Individual Golden Spoon was awarded to Frank Hillbolt of the Black Cat Choir.
The Cooking Team Golden Spoon was awarded to Round Top Chamber of Commerce with Team Captain Tiffany Reid accepting the award on their behalf.
Live Auction Results
The event also featured a live auction that included exciting items, with the three highest-selling packages being: 1. A Five Night Stay in a luxurious Crested Butte Home. This auction item was so popular it ended up selling twice thanks to the generosity of donors Chris Ellis and Travis Dunaway.
2. A Black Cat Choir Concert. Bidding was so exciting that our friends of Black Cat Choir generously agreed to sell it three times.
3. A week’s stay in a fabulous Park City Home graciously donated by Friends of the Library, Jean and Frank Raymond.
Numerous other auction packages did well and RTFL is grateful to the dozens of local businesses and friends that generously donated items to make the Live Auction succeed.
Additionally, the Gun Raffle winner was Lloyd Vancil, who took home an Unfired Winchester Lever-Action Rifle, a 1968 “Buffalo Bill Commemorative” rifle donated by an anonymous patron.
As an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Round Top Family Library depends on the funds raised through the Chili Cook-Off to keep its doors open and continue offering a wide array of educational and community programs. Did you know that ALL of the programs, classes and events are open to the public and are offered free of charge to everyone.
“This year’s event provided a much-needed boost to the library’s operating funds, and we are deeply grateful to all the attendees, donors, volunteers, and participants who made it possible,” shared Craig Moreau, Executive Director of Round Top Family Library.
“We are beyond thrilled with the support we received this year,” said Suzanne Ellis, one of the Chili Cook-Off Co-Chairs. “The community came together in an amazing way to celebrate, compete, and raise much-needed funds for the library. This event truly highlights what makes Round Top so special – a community that cares, shares, and gives back.” A big shout out and thank you to all the Chili Cook-off Co-Chairs - Suzanne Ellis, Emily Seimsglusz, Kaci Van Coutren and Keelia Ritch.
Round Top Family Library is proud to be the heart of this vibrant community and looks forward to another successful year of programming, thanks to the ongoing generosity of its supporters.
About Round Top Family Library:
Round Top Family Library is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. Its mission is to provide free and unrestricted access to traditional library services, innovative educational programs and a welcoming community center for people of all ages. Through various programs and resources, the library serves as a hub for learning, creativity, and connection for all ages. As an essential part of the Round Top area, the library relies on community support, fundraising events like the Chili Cook-Off, and volunteer efforts to maintain its programs and services.
For more information about Round Top Family Library or to make a donation, please visit www.ilovetoread. org.