Pembroke’s Janice Palmer served up bowl after bowl of her chili Saturday to dozens of eager and smiling visitors at the community’s annual chili cook-off.
Palmer was one of seven servers at the seventh annual North Bryan County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.
“I love doing this,” she said. “I get to meet lots of people. We talk and laugh and have a good time.”
Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell estimated that more than 100 people took advantage of a chance to eat chili that ranged from mild to mind-blowingly hot. Palmer said hers was somewhere in between.
“This is the first year I got to try everyone’s chili,” Johanna Redeye of Pembroke said. “I come every year. It brings out everyone.”
Redeye later was spotted eating ice cream in an apparent attempt to counter the chili spices.
Taking home first place among the seven entrants were Kim and Alexis Hovis, who won $100 for their efforts. Second place and people’s choice went to Joey Waters, who left $75 richer. Third place went to Greg Aksdal and Jerry Mitchell from the Pembroke Masonic Lodge 469. The third-place finishers took home $50.
“The best part is that people come for lunch and get to visit with friends,” Warnell said. “I love seeing the new faces. This is the kind of event that makes Pembroke special.”
Palmer agreed, saying the cook-off was “awesome.”
Judges were Pembroke Police Chief Randy Alexander and Bryan County News writer Jeff Whitten.
The mayor also said the cook-off is one of many events during the year and encouraged everyone to attend.
“New residents get to meet their neighbors and experience firsthand the hospitality Pembroke has become known for,” Warnell said.