About 300 people downed nearly 80 gallons of chili last Saturday, searching for the best in the West Shore.

Nine awards were divvied among the 11 teams that took part in the Ninth Annual Chili Cookoff organized by the Rotary Club of the West Shore and held at for the first time Millstream Village.

B次元官网网址淚t started out because there wasnB次元官网网址檛 a great summer family event and we had been looking for a fundraiser for our club,B次元官网网址� said past president Jenn Raappana. B次元官网网址淭he club celebrates 10 years this year, it was one of the first fundraisers we started and it's definitely been very good for us.B次元官网网址�

In the past money has gone to the Goldstream Food Bank, Moms and Mentors (at Belmont secondary) and other community projects.

B次元官网网址淲e try and keep the money local. Our big program we do is called BEAR, Be Excited About Reading, in School District 62,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淟iteracy is a focus for Rotary.B次元官网网址�

While the kids are the real winners, chili champions were Eye Etiquette who took top position in both the Showmanship and PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Choice awards. Salvation Army WestSong Community Church topped the podium for Best Judged Chili.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 know yet what we raised but we usually raise $4,000 to $5,000 mostly from sponsorship and the public coming out and supporting us and trying the chili,B次元官网网址� Raappana said.

They coincided the event with back to school sales at Millstream Village businesses and hope to return there for the 10th annual next year.

B次元官网网址淲e outgrew Veterans (Memorial) Park which is a great problem to have,B次元官网网址� Raappana said. B次元官网网址淚t went really well, all the stores and businesses were hospitable.B次元官网网址�

Full list of winners:

Showmanship

1 Eye Etiquette

2 Salvation Army Westsong Community Church

3 Milestones Restaurant

Best Chili

1 Salvation Army Westsong Community Church

2 Investors Group

3 The Market on Millstream

PeoplesB次元官网网址� Choice

1 Eye Etiquette

2 West Village Church

3 The Market on Millstream