It was chilly outside, but the 10th annual Cave Junction Farmers’ Market Chili Cook Off heated up a full house Saturday evening at the Dome School in Takilma. Not only could you hear some great tunes from Alan Eisner, Sunrise Ocean and KXCJ’s Station Manager Phillip Allison, but the crowd got to watch inspiring dances from the Riverstars and the Motherline choreographed by Gina Angelique.
Attendees lined up with bowls, spoons and cupcake tins to vote for their favorite chili. There was a whopping 20 plus chilis entered into the competition and a table full of homemade cornbread to try.
Here are the winners of the 2025 competition:
*People’s Choice #13 Michelle Townsend
*Best Veggie #1 Alisa Ocean
*Best Spice #2 Stacie Van DeWerd (third year in a row winning in this category)
*Most Unique #11 Heather Saunders and
*Most Local Ingredients #8 Cindy Palacios
This fundraiser for the Cave Junction Farmers’ Market and KXCJ -LP Community Radio Station 105.7 FM and 101.3 FM and is an annual local favorite. There was also a bake sale with unique and chocolatey creations as well as a raffle for creative baskets with all kinds of crafts, food, plants, potions and games. It was nice to see so many smiling faces and appetites satisfied.