The atmosphere at Philomath’s Public Safety Chili Cook-Off stays light and friendly with several hundred people in attendance swapping conversations while sampling chili from up to two dozen tasting stations. But behind the scenes, a very real competitive vibe can be felt among participating law enforcement teams.
“There’s a little bit of competitiveness between the law enforcement divisions, and then the same thing with some of the restaurants,” Philomath Police Chief Dave Gurski said. “As we’re prepping and things like that, there’s a little bit of trash talking going on, and it’s a lot of fun.”
This year’s cook-off, set for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Yew Wood Corral on the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds, has drawn 24 registered teams — what Gurski called the biggest turnout that he can recall.
Tickets, which cost $10 for ages 12 and older and $5 for kids 11 and younger, can be purchased online.
Although the competitive edge hangs in the air, it doesn’t overshadow the event’s community focus. Gurski said the teams mingle leading up to the start time with some preparing breakfast dishes and others serving up lunch fare. Fun and refreshing specialty drinks have also been known to make their way around the venue.
“Last year was a great turnout, and I think weather has a lot to do with that too,” Gurski said. “It wasn’t super hot — I think we’re supposed to be around 70 degrees and dry this year.”
With retired police chief Ken Rueben stepping back, Andy Thompson with the Corvallis Regional Communications Center has taken over as the event’s primary organizer. Rueben remains involved.
On the cooking side, Gurski said the department isn’t changing what’s worked.
“We’re going to run the same chili recipe this year — Texas-style chili, no beans,” he said.
The lineup of teams — as far as competitive divisions — looks a little different this year.
“There’s going to be quite a few teams in the law enforcement division, and then we’ve broken it up into a community partner division, and so that will also include restaurants,” Gurski said. “But that division is so large, we’ve had to split it into two groups.”
Gurski compared the cook-off to other community-facing events the department runs, including National Night Out, Trunk or Treat and Coffee with a Cop.
“It’s just kind of a lower key way to get people involved and interacting with law enforcement, where it’s not call related or hopefully there’s not an emergency,” he said. “I think it’s a much more relaxed and fun atmosphere.”
Attendance hit 1,133 last year and Gurski said the event is nearing what the current space can handle.
“We’re bumping up against the max right now,” he said. “I think about 25 (teams) would be about as many as we could handle, or we’d have to start expanding and looking at different spaces at the Frolic grounds.”
New restrooms added last year have helped, he said, and parking has kept pace with the crowds.
Raffle prizes this year include a fire pit from Philomath Rental and a Browning AB3 Composite hunting rifle donated by Coastal Farm and Ranch. Raffle tickets are $5 for three, $10 for seven or $20 for 20, and can be purchased from a raffle booth on site.
Block 15 Brewing and 4 Spirits Distillery will have beer and cocktails for sale. Soda and water will also be available.
Proceeds are split between three beneficiaries. Gurski said about half goes to the 4 Spirits Veteran Scholarship Fund, with a quarter each going to the Philomath Police Foundation and the Benton County Sheriff’s Foundation.
“It’s more than just about the chili,” Gurski said about the event. “I think that we see large groups of people that maybe don’t see each other on a regular basis, and they go there to kind of connect. And then also, the chili is part of it and that is a lot of fun as well.”
Running alongside the cook-off at the rodeo grounds will be the Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Preparedness and Services Fair. The free event is billed with the tagline “Come for the chili. Leave more prepared,” and will offer residents a chance to browse emergency preparedness resources and local services.
