The 11th Annual Chili and Boilo Cook Off was held at the East End Fire Company, Tamaqua, on Saturday. Every year, the fire companies of the Tamaqua area host the competition to raise money for the Carbon Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society.

Each year, they raise around $5,000, and have, so far, raised over $50,000 for cancer research. Cancer is something that affects a lot of people and their families.

“Tom (McCarroll), one of the organizers, he’s a cancer survivor,” explained Art Connely, another of the organizers. “My Dad had it.”

The fire company will present the proceeds to the American Cancer Society at their annual telethon.

“They support those with cancer,” Connely added. “Whatever they need; medicine, supplies, and transportation.”

The cook-off originally started at the Zoo in Lansford. When they stopped doing it, the fire companies in Tamaqua stepped up to keep it going.

For the competition, there are eight categories: traditional chili, non-traditional chili, traditional boilo, and non-traditional boilo. There are judges awards for each, and the people’s choice awards for each.

Regarding the chili, there are some basic ingredients.

“There’s the meat and the spices,” said Shawn Miller of Mountaintop, competing for the first time this year. “And people decide whether or not to put beans in it. Everyone has their own secret recipe.”

Basic chili is beef and spices. Some people add beans, tomatoes, corn and other ingredients. The non-traditional chili is made with other types of meat such as chicken.

Boilo is an alcoholic beverage; although, not a common one outside of the coal regions in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Boilo is a big thing; but, just in this area,” Patti Ramer of Barnesville, said.

“It’s a general thing,” she added. “It’s supposed to cure colds, and it’s supposed to do all kinds of medicinal things for you.”

The traditional version of Boilo is alcohol, and spices. Some add oranges, lemons, raisins, and herbs. The non-traditional boilo was offered in different flavors like peach, root beer, and blueberry, just to name a few.

There were 10 entries in the chili part of the competition, and 20 in the boilo section. There is an entry fee for each one.

Attendees paid an entry fee for either just the chili, just the boilo, or both. They then go and sample each of the entries. They are given ballots where they can choose their favorites. Throughout the afternoon, there were door prizes and 50/50 raffles, with all the money going to the American Cancer Society.

The winners of the Judges Awards: Traditional Chili, Mark McCarroll, Tamaqua; Non-Traditional Chili, Rushelle Slane, Tamaqua; Traditional and Non-Traditional Boilo, Tom McCarroll, Tamaqua.

The winners of the Peoples’ Choice Awards: Traditional Chili: Donette Miller, Virginia; Non-Traditional Chili, Rushelle Slane, Tamaqua; Traditional Boilo, Jen Reno; and Non-Traditional Boilo, Holly Richmond.

And an award for Most Donations Collected for the Cook-of went to Jed Youngcourt, Freeland