Collier named top chili cook

By Carrie A. Mizell

Crystal Collier follows one simple rule when it comes to cooking: If her kids won’t eat it, then there is no point in fixing it.
Not only do Collier’s three kids approve of her chili, but three local judges thought it was the tastiest bowl of chili in the county at a competition held last Friday at the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office.

Chili Cook Off winner Crystal Collier accepted her awards
from Sheriff Daniel Slaughter.

A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, the 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off raised over $1,000 through entry fees and dinner sales.
Twenty-one citizens dropped off chili on Friday morning in crockpots of various shapes and sizes. Chili ranged in style from traditional to gourmet varieties that featured multiple meats, and also in temperature. One particularly hot bowl of chili was known simply as, “Blazing Saddles.”
“We were just hoping for 10 entries again this year,” Sgt. Anita Moore, of the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office said. “We ended up selling between 150 and 200 dinners and making $1,000 which is double what we made last year!”
Judges Connie Sanchez, supervisor of elections for Gilchrist County, Cheryl Nekola, mayor of Fanning Springs and Kyle Tatoris of Ameris Bank named Collier’s “Chili Willy” first place in the competition. Second place went to Jessie Williams who entered “Love Chili” and third place was given to Natasha Allen’s “Chili Magnifico.”
Following the judging, the community was invited in to enjoy a chili lunch that included chili, cornbread, a drink and a homemade dessert for just $5.
Collier and her daughter Summer were sitting at a picnic table waiting to enjoy a chili lunch when a Sheriff’s volunteer called her inside, so she could be declared the 2011 Top Chili Cook in Gilchrist County. Collier was awarded $50 in cash, a trophy, a certificate and a chili necklace.
The mother of three, who lives north of Bell, said she read about the upcoming chili cook off in the Gilchrist County Journal and decided it might be a fun contest to try.
“I have been feeling really down lately,” Collier said. “And I just feel like winning this prize was like God reaching down and giving me a hug!”