Celebrating that time of the year, the Super Bowl, and a good, old-fashioned chili and soup cook-off, McMinnville city employees got to enjoy some good company and good food.

Thursday at the Milner Recreation Center, the third annual Soup R Bowl chili cook-off compared chilis and soups from city employees’ kitchens. A fun event to break up the winter blahs, it gives creative cooks the opportunity to enter their favorite chili and soup recipes for a good cause. Taste testers rated about 15 different creations for the event.

There were four very different soups including a beef and cabbage and an exotic tortellini. About ten chilis were on offer with very different flavors, colors and textures, ranging from white chili (bean and chicken) to a hearty chunky old-school stew. Judges had their work cut out for them. 

The city also provided sides like grilled cheese sandwiches, crackers, chips, cheese and sodas. After votes were cast, winners for best chili, best soup and best overall were announced. City Administrator Nolan Ming gave out awards including a gold-plated ladle plaque.

Winners included Ricky Morton, taking first place in the chili category. It was all about the brown sugar and the Ro-tel for him. Heath Collins won the ladle for best overall chili or soup. His was a classic medium chili. Mike Lane won the best soup category with a beef cabbage concoction.

City employees were invited to come share the lunch and camaraderie. Donations were appreciated though not required.