There will be a People’s Choice Tasting and Award, raffle prizes, and t-shirts for sale

ATASCADERO — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 2814 will pit local chili makers against each other for the 2023 VFW 2814 Chili Cook-Off scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4, at the VFW Post in Atascadero. In addition to the official judging, there will be a People’s Choice Tasting and Award, raffle prizes, and t-shirts for sale. The public is welcome. Admission and parking are free.

The top three entries as well as the People’s Choice will receive cash awards, and all contestants receive a complimentary event t-shirt. Trophies will also be awarded to first place and People’s Choice.

The public can enjoy tasting chili and voting for their favorite for only $5 per person. Event t-shirts will be available for purchase for $25. Sales open at 10:30 a.m. and People’s Choice tasting is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Additionally, all attendees can enter to win great raffle prizes donated from local businesses and individuals including bottles of local wine, snack baskets, kitchen knives, Central Coast Wine Passports, California Mid-State Fair tickets and more. Raffle tickets are $2 each or 15 for $20. The VFW 2814 is grateful for the generous donations from the following: Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, Edge Works Sharpening, Halter Ranch Vineyard, MEA Wines, Kula Vineyards & Winery, Miner’s Ace Hardware, Sandy Edmunson, Nancy Rangel, Ward Roney, and Kathy Strang.

The proceeds from this year’s Chili Cook-Off will benefit Meals That Connect operating out of the Atascadero Senior Center. This countywide non-profit provides hot, noontime meals to local residents aged 60 and older for free. For more details about Meals That Connect, visit mealsthatconnect.org and for more details on the non-profit Atascadero Senior Center, call (805) 466-4674 or email seniorcitizensunitedinc@outlook.com.

For more details about the Chili Cook-Off, visit vfwpost2814.org, follow @VFW2814 on Facebook or email vfwauxiliary2814@gmail.com.

The VFW 2814 is located at 9555 Morro Road near Santa Rosa Road in Atascadero.