Chili and Community: Central Florida Chili Cookoff Heats Up Horizon West for Local Scholarships
The Fifth Annual Culinary Showdown Drew 32 Teams, Fueling Scholarships for Legacy Events for Education
Every chili cook has a secret. Maybe it’s a home-blended spice mix. Maybe it’s chocolate and red wine. Thirty-two teams competed in different categories this past Saturday, February 7, 2026, on the Hamlin green space in the fifth annual Central Florida Chili Cookoff. For a donation to Legacy Events for Education, everyone got a chance to sample … and sample … and sample.
Rolfe Garrett and the Rockin’ Robyn chili team travelled from Weeki Wachee. “If you’re going to use beans, stay away from kidney beans. They have a tough outer layer. Use something small, small white, small black, small red.”
Kissimmee’s Earl Massey calls his recipe Earl’s No Mumbo Jumbo Chili. “I don’t mess around. It’s seven cuts of beef, seven cuts of pork.”
Dan Bettencourt of Port St. Lucie’s Wicked Good Chili cooks his beef in a little scotch for the smoke. “I like Johnny Walker Black. I figured I would taste good in chili.”
Many teams make two recipes. One is for the people’s choice award, based on popular vote. That’s where the white chicken chili and ingredients like cinnamon come in. The other recipe is very traditional, just meat and gravy – no beans and no fresh veggies. That kind of recipe earn you points toward November’s big Chili Appreciation Society International showdown in Terlingua, Texas.
Photos by Cynthia Dailey, Horizon West Magazine
Chili Today, Scholarships Tomorrow
This year’s competition is a homecoming as the very first Central Florida Chili Cookoff was held in Hamlin in 2022. “Coming back to Hamlin was a great choice for us,” says David Terry, Legacy Events for Education’s president and executive director. In a few weeks, the non-profit will give out $21,000 in scholarships to graduates from local public high schools, private schools, and home schools.
“As a non-profit, the more money we make today, the more scholarships we can give to kids,” says Terry. “That’s in partnership with Rotary Club of Horizon West and McCoy Federal Credit Union and Orlando Health and so many Horizon West professionals. We wouldn’t have the crowds we do today without the help of Horizon West Magazine.”
Horizon West Magazine is both an event sponsor and sponsor of the day’s live entertainment. "The magazine is all about showing up for our local schools and Legacy Events for Education is out there doing the real work, says Horizon West Magazine Founder and Publisher Cynthia Dailey. “The Chili Cookoff is a great way for the community to come together to help, have a little fun and put our money where our mouth is!”
Photo courtesy of Legacy Events for Education
Photos by John Graham
Pete Ranos drove up from Davenport for the afternoon. “It’s a lot bigger than I thought, for sure, and we’re really excited to try all this different chili. We like going to markets and things like that around Orlando. This is just something a little off the beaten path. Get outside, walk around, and have a good time.”
Chili tasters may have noticed David Terry Is not just Legacy Events for Education’s president and executive director, but he was also right in there, serving up chili alongside the other teams. David’s Fire Pit Chili team doesn’t compete for the People’s Choice award – it’s only fair – but David’s been cooking chili for 15 years and his quest for the perfect pot of traditional red inspired the first Central Florida Chili Cookoff in 2022. “I think chili just brings people together,” says Terry. “On the back of our shirts, it says ‘Meet as Strangers. Leave as Friends.’ I tell people, come and have fun and raise money by accident.”
Photos courtesy of Legacy Events for Education
2026 Central Florida Chili Cookoff Winners
People's Choice:
Shannon Till / State Farm Insurance
CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International):
1. Robyn Garrett
2. Dave Ashworth
3. Tiffany McCool
4. Brenda Macrides
5. Bert Dunn
6. Rickey Haslam
7. David Terry
8. Rolfe Garrett
9. J.T. Williams
10. Candi Knight Arevalo
Restaurant:
1. Earl Massey - Fish on Fire
2. Dennis Cheplick - Ellie Lou's Brews & BBQ
Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO):
1. Windermere High School
2. Horizon High School
Open:
1. Bert Dunn
2. Tiffany McCool
3. Rickey Haslam
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