Spices, concoctions and antacids will again grace the tables at Umatilla High School as cooks and community judges gear up for the Umatilla Kiwanis Clubs 13th annual Chili Feed and Competition on Friday, Jan. 28.

For $3, anyone can enter the event and take advantage of all-you-can-eat chili. Conservative tasters can stick to one type of chili; the adventurous can sample every variety. Every taster can then submit a ballot for their favorite chili or two and become a community judge.

For the public, the event doors open at 6 p.m.; for the competitors, the evening caps a day of chili mixing, tasting, preparation and set-up.

In 2010, the club debuted offering prizes aprons with a chili theme for the winning entries, and that motivation will continue.

Well have more prizes this year. That really worked well last year, volunteer Cathy Putnam said. Theyre not huge prizes, but we just want to show our appreciation. We really do appreciate all our volunteer cooks. Without them, this would not be possible.

The event will also include a cake and pie auction, and all proceeds go toward the Kiwanis Clubs scholarship program. Every year, the number of scholarships is decided based on the number of applicants and the amount of money raised.

Every applicant goes through a screening process, then we check how much funding we have and try and do as many scholarships as we can, Putnam said.

For more information or to enter the competition, contact Cathy Putnam at Carlsons Umatilla Drug, 541-922-3281.