Fire up those taste buds for chili

Chili aficionados are invited to fire up their taste buds for Villa Park's annual chili cook-off this weekend.

At least a dozen area cooks are gathering fixings for spicy concoctions in four categories for Saturday night's contest. In addition, five bakers are poised to prepare their favorite cornbread recipes.

Free samples will be available for the public, as well as musical entertainment and chili-related trivia, organizers say.

"It's an interesting and tasty event," Village President Joyce Stupegia said.

Cooks are bringing on the heat to compete in the following categories: beef chili with and without beans, chili with other meats, and vegetarian chili.

"That should be a great event," Trustee Jeff Blankensop said.

Some of Villa Park's own Station No. 3 firefighters are among the competitors, Acting Clerk Hosanna Korynecky said.

Villa Park firefighters beat out five other suburban departments -including Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect and Palatine-in a chili contest earlier this year at the Whole Foods in Palatine.

Saturday's contest, sponsored by the village's community pride commission, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood St.

Prizes will be given for the top three chili concoctions and top two cornbread recipes, which will be evaluated by local restaurateurs and residents. For details, see the village's Web site at invillapark.com.

"It's a lot of fun. Bring your family and friends," committee member Diane Sherlock said.

For details, call (630) 941-7915.

Villa Park Chili Cook-off

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18

Where: Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood St., Villa Park

Details: invillapark.com