Sweet and hot was the theme at Saturday's Father Kramer Knights of Columbus annual chili cookoff held at the Italian American Cultural Center in Clinton Township.
Each of the five chefs created a very unique chili with very different not-so-secret ingredients.
Alia Natzke created a dessert chili with chocolate, cayenne pepper, and topped with whipped cream. Her mom, Monica Natzke ladled out her chicken apple chili with a creamy sweet and spicy flavor.
Linda Lucas said her special chili recipe has been in the family for generations and passed down from her grandmother to her mom to her.
"The secret ingredient is molasses," said Lucas. "I put in about four tablespoons for this batch and it just gives it a good flavor; then I add a can of tomato soup to make it a little creamy."
The winner of both the people's choice award and the judge's award was Clinton Township resident Britnie Williams' maple bourbon chili. Over 50 taste testers participated in the event.
"It is a little sweet because of the maple syrup, but the heat kind of sneaks up on you," said Williams. "You might want to have a glass of water close by."
The judge for the Oct. 25 event was 37th District Court Judge Steven Bieda who said he does have his own special chili recipe with two kinds of chopped peppers and a blend of special spices, but he rarely has time to make it so he appreciates the opportunity to judge the annual chili cookoff.
"Everyone has such unique and great recipes," said Bieda. "No two are the same.
"It's hard to choose just one that is the best."
Bieda has judged the contest for the past four years.
Event organizer Greg Childs thanked sponsors the Italian American Cultural Society, Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Elite Ink in Center LIne, and Duacare. All proceeds from the chili cookoff event go to Knights of Columbus charities.
"It was a great turnout and a good time was had by all," Childs said.