Contestants at the chili cook-off had their chance to impress five celebrity judges with their chili creations or put them in a sweat with the spiciest recipes they could concoct.
Public Relations Student Society of America had its annual Cardinal Chili Challenge, where it served about 150 students Friday.
Alexandra Garritano, executive director of special events and programming for PRSSA, said the event raised more than $200 for the organization, which was more than expected.
Garritano said 12 teams participated in the event, which surprised her because of the poor weather. She said she hoped 10 would participate and was pleased with the turnout.
A lot of the chili ran out because so many people were eating during the event, she said.
Garritano said it was fun and she enjoyed putting it on.
"It was not hard to find people who wanted to [help]," she said. "I was very lucky."
She said it was a good event that brought people together and raised their spirits with plenty of chili and door prizes.
She said she tried to sample all the chili, but some ran out because they were so popular and she skipped some because she doesn't like spicy foods.
"I don't do spicy very well," she said, "so I don't touch it."
Garritano said she was not sure what PRSSA would do differently for the event next year.
The five judges for the event were President Jo Anna Gora, basketball player Peyton Stovall, Miss Indiana Nicole Rash, radio personality Steve Lindell and Dan Ivy from the Muncie Fire Department, she said.
Garritano said there were 20 sponsors for the event, such as fraternities, sororities and Village businesses.
Hillary Tribbett, co-chairwoman of the planning team, said the event was fantastic and got a lot of community support.
Tribbett said the event was a great experience to prepare for the real-world planning of an event, such as arranging to get the judges for the event.
She said there were a variety of methods used to get judges for the contest, but after learning about it, they changed their schedules to accommodate it.
"Who wouldn't want to take off an afternoon to eat chili?" she said.
Winners and categories
- Most Creative Chili- Hargreaves Grand Hawaiian Chili
- Best Independent Organization Chili- Hargreaves Grand Hawaiian Chili
- Spiciest Chili- Austin and Pyro's Ball State Thermite
- Best Overall Chili- Two Guys, a Girl and a Pot of Chili
- Best Greek- Caliente Chi O's, Chi Omega
- Best Residence Hall- Kidney Beans, Howick/Williams
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