Participants took on the spice and heat during the first Homecoming Chili Cook Off Oct. 9 in the Billingsly Student Center.

“We’re all about fun,” said Jason Calvin, senior psychology major.

Calvin said the Psychology Club participated in the Chili Cook Off because they like to be involved on campus.

“We like to get the word out there,” he said.

The Psychology Club entered the cook off with its recipe “Nacho” Mama’s Chili.

“It’s homemade,” said Cindy Clinkenbeard, senior psychology and theatre major.

David Slatton, senior communications major, made his Firetime Chili for the cook off.

“I’m from Texas,” he said. “I have the best chili. It’s a different kind of tasting chili.

“I have to magic recipe.”

Slatton said he makes his chili from scratch and uses a chicken broth base.

“(I) grew tomatoes (and) peppers,” he said.

The Southern Players theatre club made a turkey chili.

“It’s made by the Drama Mamas (team name),” said JoHonna Manning, sophomore elementary education major. “We just went old fashioned.”

Manning said the theatre club decided to participate in the Chili Cook Off.

“We figured it was a good way to promote our organization,” she said.

For Craig Richardson, department of public safety officer, he has participated in the Chili Cook Off since the criminal justice department had it. For his name Bad Boyz Big Crash, Richardson made a traditional firehouse chili.

“(It’s my) grandfather’s recipe,” he said.

Devon Mustin, freshman business major, and Greg Dodson, freshman business administration major, said they liked the Firetime Chili the best. Mustin said he liked Bob Harrington’s, director of the Physical Plant, family’s Slap Ya Mama Chili.

“It’s the most appealing,” he said.

Participants’ entries were judged and three winners were announced for best overall taste, best name of chili and best presentation of chili. Krista Stark, senior communications major and Student Alumni Association president, won for best overall taste with Alpha Romeo, an Italian chili.

“It’s really nice to win something for SAA,” she said.

Stark said the chili is not the normal chili, and it is homemade. She said it is made with Italian meatballs and homemade sauce.

“(I) put it together the night before,” she said.

The Missouri Southern Foundation won for best name of chili with MIAA Road Kill chili, and the Harrington family won for best presentation of chili.

First place received a crockpot with corn bread mix and the makings for chili such as beans and seasoning. Second and third places received corn bread mix and the makings for chili.

Elisa Bryant, alumni relations coordinator, said the cook off was successful with 12 entries.

“Quite a few students showed up,” she said.

Bryant said judging the entries was a challenge.

“It was really hard because of all the different flavors,” she said.

Bryant said the Alumni Association is planning to continue the Chili Cook Off during future Homecomings.