The 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio, hosted their 17th annual chili cook-off Nov. 16 at the base’s dining facility. This event is held each year in order to promote the Combined Federal Campaign and all the proceeds will go to the CFC.
According to the CFC website, the CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with almost 200 CFC campaigns throughout the country and overseas raising millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season that starts Sept. 1 lasting through Dec.15, support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.
The theme for this year’s chili cook-off was ‘bands’. Each of the five teams picked a different band or theme and dressed up and decorated their booth to go along with it. Then, they made and served their best bowl of chili to the judges and all the attendants. The awards categories were overall winner, runner up, best theme, and people’s choice award. The coveted ‘Chili Bowl’ went to the team with the best chili recipe overall which was determined by the judges.
The three judges on the panel were Col. Jim Camp, the 179th AW Commander, Dan Varn, the Executive Director of United Way for Richland County, and Johnny C. Willis, a retired master sergeant from the 179th AW. Representatives from the IRS and United Way of Richland County participated in this year’s event.
The 2016 winner of the ‘Chili Bowl’ was the Air Wing Headquarters team. They also won the people’s choice award for the best chili. Their team constructed a 50’s diner out of mostly cardboard
and colored paper. They dressed up like characters from the musical “Grease.” The runner up for best recipe was the Security Forces team as “Quiet Riot”. They also received the award for the best theme. Their team dressed up as the heavy metal band members complete with long wigs, bandanas, leather jackets, sunglasses and more.
“It was an honor to receive the ‘Chili Bowl’,” said Capt. Matthew Stake, one of the chili cooks from the winning team, “but ultimately it was a great opportunity to get people from all across the base together for one good cause.”
Photo by Airman Megan Shepherd, 179th Airlift Wing
