In a fun and flavorful team-building tradition, staff members at Lakeview Elementary School brought their best chili recipes to work for the school’s annual Chili Cook-Off. A lineup of anonymous entries simmering in crockpots filled the faculty lunchroom with the scent of spices. Alongside the chili were homemade snacks, treats and plenty of good-natured competition.
Dressed in cozy flannel shirts, staff gathered during their lunch periods to sample the chilis, compare notes and cast their votes for the winning recipe.
“This is such a great way for our staff to celebrate the fall season and each other,” Principal Elizabeth Blessing said. “We’re always impressed by how many talented cooks we have in this building, and it was so much fun to taste all of the delicious entries.”
Participants voted for their favorite chili by scanning a QR code that led to an online ballot. When the votes were tallied, Josephine Dalo’s traditional beef chili earned top honors. Blessing presented the Dalo with a custom “Chili Champion” wooden spoon trophy to commemorate her win.
