Third times the charm for Wavrick’s chili in downtown competition

For Tami Wavrick, the third time was a charm.

Wavrick, who led Wave’s OG Chili, won first place in the fourth annual Chili Cook-Off held by Downtown Dublin at the Market on Madison Saturday afternoon. 

“It feels good to break through,” Wavrick said. “This feels good. I have finished second the last two years. It’s nice to step up. I tweak it a little bit each year, but it’s basically the same.” 

Buckeye Preferred finished second and Collision Chili was third. Spiciest chili and People’s Choice went to Big Mike’s Sweet Heat Chili while Victory Venison Chili received an award for the best decorated tent. 

Wavrick’s named the chili Wave because it is her husband’s nickname, while OG stands for traditional chili, she said. Wavrick, who works at The Vallant Bank, was glad to represent it since the men participate in the annual Pig in the Park during the Saint Patrick’s Festival.

“It’s nice to see everybody show up and participate,” Wavrick said. “We were pretty busy. I met a lot of people today that I have never seen before, which is great. I love that Downtown Dublin puts on an event like this. It gives people stuff to do. I just love this weather (on Saturday).” 

Jason Keyton, director of business development for the DDA, also enjoyed the weather.

“That is crucial and a key for an event like this,” he said. “Every year it keeps growing and growing and that’s what we love seeing in our downtown. The number of people and vendors grow every year. The chili recipes are tweaked and get better every year. People are serious about their chili. This is a serious competition.” 

And they like to see people come downtown.

“People will go somewhere else to eat or hangout downtown,” Keyton said. “That’s a win for everybody.” 

Keyton was one of the judges for the competition. In all, he tasted 17 chilis.

“Some we made a decision quickly and some we had to deliberate on,” he said. “We tasted all 17 chilis and everyone had a different flavor profile. What was crazy was that all five judges picked the same winner. It was unanimous.” 

The contest also featured a cake walk, a kids zone, food trucks and vendors underneath the Market on Madison.  

Britt Boone, who led Boone Docks Buckin’ Good Chili, has lived in Albany for 35 years. His mother lives in Dublin while his wife’s mother lives in Wrightsville. Boone also used to work at Fairview Park Hospital before moving to Albany to be a surgeon.  

“We love coming here and meeting people and the vendors,” Boone said. “I love people getting the chance to sample my chili and food. It’s just a good feeling.”

Boone’s team participated in the first chili cook-off, winning the people’s choice award.

“We go around to other competitions,” Boone said. “I will take my chili to work and we just like competing and talking with people.”