Chili cook-off coming to Cochran Country Fest

This year’s Cochran Country Fest taking place Oct. 19 will feature a chili cook-off in support of Promise of Hope, a residential work program offering faith-based assistance to men and women suffering from addiction. The organization was founded in 1999 when its doors first opened to women in Dudley, but the competition is specifically supporting the men’s group, which was established in Cochran in 2011.

Anyone who registers before Oct. 14 will put their personal chili recipe to the test with a $25 entry fee, and chili can fit in three categories: mild, hot or scorching. Contestants are asked to bring at least two gallons of precooked, homemade chili for the chance to win “bragging rights” and a medal, a flier from Promise of Hope says. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. An ingredient list is required by the day of the event, but folks harboring their top-secret family recipes need not worry; lists will not be posted publicly.

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Those who are just interested in tasting chili are able to purchase sample cups at the fest. 

“The Promise of Hope Men’s Group is one of the organizations that we truly love to work with,” President of the Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of Commerce Melissa W. Barker said. “They are amazing assets to our community and surrounding areas. I am super excited about trying out all the chili, even the scorching hot ones!”

According to Promise of Hope, their two facilities are able to hold a total of 48 residents — 24 women and 24 men — for a year-long period. Food, personal hygiene products, laundry, clothing, educational literature, paper products, and transportation to church and addiction support meetings are provided by the group. Residents are “educated on the nature of progression, the characteristics of chemical dependency and codependency issues,” their website says.

“The program is one of structure, teaching the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” the organization’s site says. “Discipline and accountability for following the rules of the program are taught. The residents are instructed on the process of becoming honest and taught communication skills. These skills help them begin to identify their feelings, not to be afraid of them and how to deal with different personalities. All of this is focused on one-day-at-a-time.”

To register for the chili cook-off or to learn more about Promise of Hope, contact 478-934-0774.