Celebrating its 3rd year of tantalizing taste-buds and smokin’ the Scoville scale, the annual Schroon Lake Chili Cook-Off is back.

And organizer Shelby Davis hopes this year will be the biggest.

“The first year we had 9 entrants and last year 14 (some entrants enter more than one chili).  So we really want to make this year our best year yet,” Shelby told Schroon Laker today.

As in previous years, all of the money raised will go to Schroon Lake EMS Squad. For those new to the event, here’s how it works. Area restaurants, fire houses and emergency squads and home cooks compete in four categories to win a HUGE trophy and bragging rights. The categories are:

*Best Meaty Chili

*Best Veggie Chili

*Best Chili by a Fire/Rescue Squad

*People’s Choice Award

A panel of local judges decides each award, except of course the People’s Choice.

Shelby hopes this year’s cook off will continue to attract participants from all over the North Country.

“We really want to grow this event and include other towns. I have already had one inquiry from a restaurant in Warrensburg. Last year the Fire and Rescue Trophy was won by a firehouse from Ticonderoga.

“Ideally I’d love to have restaurants from as far north as Westport and south as Queensbury,” Shelby said.

The event will be held at the gymnasium at the Mountainside Bible Chapel on February 22, starting at 11:30 am – to 1:30 pm.

There are several ways to taste the chili. $1 for a single taste, $5 for a bowl or $15 for a wristband which allows for unlimited tastings.

To enter, contact Shelby as soon as possible to reserve your spot. There’s an incentive for early registration: before January 31st, it’s just $20. After that it’s $30.

The entry fee is waived for all Fire Departments and EMS squads. Registration Closes 2/15/2014.

Because of health department regulations, home cooks need to make special arrangements with Shelby in order to enter.

You can get more information here and download the poster promoting the event, here.

Where and When: Saturday, February 22, 2014. The Mountainside Gymnasium,165 US Route 9, Schroon Lake, NY. Contact Shelby @ 518-932-124.