More Than 30 to Compete in Asbury's Chili Cookoff

Four professional chefs and 30 amateur chefs will compete Saturday in the fourth annual chili cookoff at , 1533 Springhouse Road, South Whitehall.

The cook-off will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m in the Wesley Center.

This year's cookoff benefits Athletes for Christ, which provides children and youth programs, Zumba and other activities for adults. 

"People's Choice" awards will be given, with votes being cast for each penny donated to a particular chef.  Donations are freewill.

"Golden Chili" awards also will be given in 10 categories. 

New this year is the "I Climbed Chili Mountain" award, which will be given to guests who sample all the dishes. 

"This is quite an undertaking," said organizer Dick McCreight, in an email, about the "I Climbed" award. "Do the math, 32 samples in two-ounce cups = 64 ounces of chili. That's half a gallon!"

Amateur chefs in this year's contest include:

• Frank Paretti, Upper Macungie
• Randy and Ashlynn Zack, Fogelsville
• Sara Fulton, Easton
• Virginia Myers, Lower Macungie
• Charles Myers, Lower Macungie
• Barry and Donna Zimmerman, Allentown.
• Donna and Kim Jones, Philadelphia
• Elsworth Machin
• Paul and Olivia Thesien, South Whitehall
• Allen Gow
• Melissa Schessler, Bethlehem
• Dick Brown, Lower Macungie
• Jeanne McLean
• Chuck Goodge
• Lisa Olivieri, Whitehall
• Sarah Kinzel, Fogelsville
• Claire Wexler, Schnecksville
• Kim Campbell
• Laura Campbell
• Confirmation Class
• Lisa Dolan, Orefield
• Deb Inhoff
• Germaine Lenz
• Joe Inhoff
• Nancy Miltenberger, Fogelsville
• The Korean United Methodist Church, Bethlehem.

Addresses were not available for all amateur chefs.

Professional chefs include:

• Adam Gangwere, of Cactus Blue, who is back to defend his title.
• Todd Lehman, of Genesis HealthCare.
• Julie Hemmber, of Texas Roadhouse.
• Rachael Minor, of Red Robin restaurant.

More than 40 area businesses are providing door prizes.

Check back with Patch to see who wins this year's cookoff.