Chili Contest Returns to Sunday Morning Market

With the possible exception of barbecue, no other cuisine has a more dizzying array of variations, nor stirs more fierce debate, than chili. Things can get intense, if not downright tasty, at chili contests.

So hopefully everyone will remember that the at the Feb. 12 Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market is for a good cause. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Seminole Heights Team, and the market's Hillsborough High Student Scholarship Award.

Contestants pay a $10 entry fee. Tickets for unlimited chili sampling are $6, or two for $10. Ticket purchasers can also vote for the people's choice award. The judges, who will be picked by the American Cancer Society, will also pick their top chili maker. First prize is $100 cash. Second and third prizes will be merchandise from the market.

Market organizer Greg Barnhill said the chili cook off concept was adapted from the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association's January porch party chili contest.

The market starts at 9 a.m., on the front lawn of . Chili tasting starts at noon and lasts as long as the chili does.

Seminole Heights Apartments is sponsoring the chili cook off.