Chili contests heat up aid for nonprofit group

The Association for Individual Development recently held two preliminary Chili for Charity Cook-Off contests, and another is coming up.

The final preliminary contest will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Maple Park Pub. There is a $10 nonrefundable entry fee. For more information, contact Wendy Bialek at (847) 931-2294.

The entries in the first two contests ran the gamut from the exotic (Kahlua Chili) to the hearty to chili so hot that tasters kept a watchful eye on the fire extinguisher locations.

Twenty-five hopefuls entered the contests held at Mott's Lounge in Burlington and Mary's Corner Tap in South Elgin.

Three semifinalists from each location will advance on to the telethon finals, which will be broadcast live on cable TV from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove on Saturday, Feb. 28. The first-place winner of the telethon faceoff will receive a $500 cash prize.

AID is a nonprofit, community based organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities by promoting individual achievement and community inclusion. AID serves more than 4,200 individuals in Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb counties, Hanover Township in Cook County and throughout the entire city of Aurora.