An aroma of chili seasoning and spices filled the Anderson Justice Center March 3 for the department’s Chili Cook-Off/Feed annual fund-raiser.

More than 20 students and faculty members submitted a crock-pot full of their personal chili. Some added more spice while others added more tomatoes.

“It’s my dad’s recipe,” said Jenny Hartman, senior criminal justice major.

Hartman said there isn’t anything specific that sets the recipe apart because it changes constantly.

“Whatever my dad puts in the recipe is fine,” Hartman said. “It’s different every time.”

For this particular batch, however, Hartman said there were a healthy amount of Mexican spices, ground beef and chili peppers.

“I love cooking,” she said.

Those attending the chili gathering paid $4 for an all-you-can-eat sampling of the chili batches. Proceeds of the event will be donated to the Gateway School in Joplin. Judges from the men and women’s basketball staff helped select the three winners. The first place winner, Craig Garrard, senior criminal justice major, received $100, Clayton Ballard, senior criminal justice major, won second place and $75, and the third place winner, Al Shultz, received $50.

A couple of hours before judging took place, several tables were full of crock pots.

“I think the participation was excellent,” said Cassie West, senior criminal justice major and president of the Criminal Justice Student Association.

West didn’t have her own chili recipe, and, like Hartman, looked to her father for a little help.

“I called my father for his secret recipe,” West said. “It will be interesting to see how it tastes.”

In the chili recipe West added beans, chili seasoning and Rotel mix.

“There was something else that I was supposed to add, but I didn’t have time,” she said.

West said she was happy to be able to participate in such a worthwhile cause.

“It’s our contribution to the community,” she said.

Mike Hulderman, associate professor of criminal justice and adviser to CJSA, said the annual event is good for the University.

“It gets everyone on campus involved,” Hulderman said. “It gives them an opportunity to try different chili.”

Each year the proceeds go to a different organization.

“It’s all about a good cause,” he said.