While many local chili cook-off participants will not reveal the secret ingredients to their recipes, most will tell you what is needed when preparing to cook a homemade batch.
“First of all, you put love into it along with the right mixture of spices,” said Steve Chapman, who was awarded for his homemade chili during last year’s Santa Rosa Kids’ House Chili Cook-Off. “It’s just something I enjoy doing.”
GALLERY: Photos from Saturday's 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off in Milton
Chapman received assistance from his 11-year-old grandson, Colin Cline, who is attempting to learn his grandfather’s cooking skills.
“He teaches me every time I come over,” Cline said.
In his first time competing at the event, Matt Jones agrees with Chapman on having a passion for cooking adding it takes some time to prepare delicious homemade chili.
“It’s all about the preparation,” Jones said. “It’s something you can’t throw together in just a matter of minutes.”
Saturday’s cooler weather was ideal in order to enjoy hot chili at the event, located at the Ollie’s Neighborhood Grill in Milton.
“We were a little bit worried with it being April, but the weather is nice,” said Keith Ann Campbell, Santa Rosa Kids’ House Director.
WATCH: Video of Keith Ann Campbell discuss Saturday's Chili Cook-Off
In addition to an upcoming golf tournament and the annual ‘Festival of Trees’ event, Campbell said the cook-off is a smaller fundraiser for the non profit organization which serves as a child advocacy center.
“We have all of the agencies under one roof to investigate and prosecute child abuse, but what we use our money is to provide free therapy for kids who have been traumatized and victimized,” she said.
The organization recently acquired a RV which assists in offering therapy to children in need throughout the county, Campbell said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Chili cook-off benefits child advocacy center (PHOTOS, VIDEO)