What could be better than chili paired with fresh wine? Two business owners decided: nothing.

Galen Glen Winery in Andreas held its seventh annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday. The event pits amateur and professional chefs in creating a hearty chili that tickles the taste buds and uses a little Galen Glen wine in the recipe. Proceeds from the event benefit the West Penn Fire Company.

Owners Sarah and Galen Troxell began the small vineyard in 1995 and opened the first tasting room in 1998.

When they had a small brush fire on their farm and fire companies were quick to respond, they thought to start the Chili Cookoff as a thank you to the community.

There were five volunteers who signed up to serve chili this year. Two groups, Darlene’s Chili with a Kick and Chris’ Chili, even became friends through the experience.

“We got pretty close hanging out here,” said third-place winner Charlene Dimmick of Jim Thorpe. “We had so much fun and met some really cool people that I hope to see next year when we do this again.”

It was her first year serving chili at the cook-off. She had been wanting to do it for a while, but her husband, Lee Dimmick, finally gave her the courage to participate this year.

“It’s my mom’s recipe, which is why our stand is named after her,” she said. “I cooked it and Lee helped by bringing the bread.”

Loyal customer and fellow farm owner Jay Wildemore reported having a great time at the event.

“It was all good chili this year,” Wildemore said.

The owners added that Wildemore drives to the winery from Quakertown every year to attend the Chili Cookoff.

Although as many as 200 residents attended the event to taste test the chili in years past, due to weather conditions this year, around 150 people showed up to try the chili dishes offered.

“It was a bit smaller of a turnout than usual,” Sarah Troxell said. “However, it was not a nice day outside, so for this many people to show up was great.”

This year’s winners were:

• First place: Chris’ Chili, Chris and Gretchen Heery of Lehighton.

• Second place: Terra’s Chili, Melissa Boerner of Andreas and Terra Bradford.

• Third place: Darlene’s Chili, by Charlene and Lee Dimmick of Jim Thorpe.

• Fourth place: John’s Chili, John Costa of Brodheadsville.

• Fifth place: Dottie’s Chili, by Dottie MacLaughlin of Whitehall.