The city of Wilmore hosted the return of the annual Jessamine County Chili Cook-Off.
On Oct. 16, the event was held for the first time since 2019, after which the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be cancelled for 2020. In total, this will be the events’ fourth year.
A contest pitting the best chili chefs from Keene, Nicholasville, and Wilmore against one another, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the Jessamine County Historical Society. Attendees are given full access to samples of contestants’ chili, as well as free beverages, desserts, and fixings.
Joining the contestants was Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater, whose chili has won the contest before. Rainwater publicly challenged Nicholasville Mayor Pete Southerland to compete, though Southerland was unable to attend. Nicholasville Councilman Alex Carter appeared in his stead. The owners of the popular Dixie Cafe in Keene also contributed a family recipe.
The cook-off took place from 11 am to 1 pm, at the Wilmore Municipal Building at 210 South Lexington Avenue, established in Oct. 2020. Before it was the Municipal Building, the address was the site of the Providence School, and has served many different purposes for Wilmore over the years. Mayor Rainwater spoke of the building’s history and provided a proper welcome to the building now that the town has adjusted somewhat to life after the COVID-19 pandemic’s beginnings.
