The Mart Heinen Booster Club Chili Cook-Off hosted at Quincy University was held not just as a competition, but also as a celebration of community, and tradition. The smell of the simmering chili wafted through the Health and Fitness Center at Quincy University during a cool afternoon on campus as groups of students, faculty, alumni, and family members were excited to participate in the event.

Teams served traditional chili, with some using ground beef to make traditional chili that is slow-cooked with rich flavors while other teams chose to be different and served things like white chicken chili and vegetarian chilies. Those who were daring enough to provide extra spicy chilies would have to help tasters search for the nearest water. The mission of the Booster Club was visible all day long. The money generated from the cook-off will aid Quincy University’s athletic programs, and that common goal brought everyone together.

“I think the Chili Cook Off is a great community opportunity for people to come out and support QU Athletics. My Grandpa used to compete in this so I wanted to take it up after he passed away. So it’s kind of fun to keep that family in the cook off,” Walker Smith said.

The chili cook-off was an excellent reminder that Quincy University does not only have student-athletes on the field to support athletics, but there is also an entire community behind them that want them to be successful. While judges moved from table to table sampling each chili; the excitement grew in everyone’s estimations on which team would win. Conversations stopped when the winners were announced and immediately applause and laughter followed. The competition never overtook the spirit of being together.

“My favorite chili was the ‘Under the Sea,’ booth. I don’t really remember what the number was, but they always have a nice atmosphere and they always have a theme. They have a good chili too. I’ve been coming to the chili cook off since I was a student in the 80s. So it’s been a great family affair event, and it’s going to a great organization helping the athletics here at QU,” Pat Valkamp said.

There were also great memories made at the event that the people shared around the table with friends, eating and talking about their experiences. For many, the chili cook-off became a great experience to kick off the semester; it provided them with a break from their routine and allowed them to connect with others.

While the pots were nearly empty by the end of the evening, the impact of the event will continue to resonate with the people involved. The Mart Heinen Booster Club Chili Cook-Off was a reminder that simple traditions can enhance a sense of community on a college campus. It was also a combination of generosity, school pride and the love of good food that created a positive experience for everyone involved at Quincy University. The overall goal of the chili cook-off was to raise money for athletics; however, the real reason was to bring people together through one bowl of chili at a time.