(WATERTOWN, NY) – The Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation will mark the 27th anniversary of its Annual North Country Chili Cook-Off in February. The event will return in the hybrid format it adopted in 2023, being offered first at participating restaurants and businesses in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and culminating with its in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown.

The North Country Chili Cook-Off will return in February starting with its restaurant-to-restaurant format Sunday, Feb. 1, which will run through Wednesday, Feb. 25. Participating restaurants and businesses will make available samples of their chili entries during regular hours of operation during that time and the public will be able to vote for their favorite entries. The entry with the most votes will receive a plaque denoting them winner of the People’s Choice Award for the tri-county competition. In addition, participating locations will again be able to compete for the Top Fundraiser Award by collecting donations for the Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation. The participating team with the highest amount raised will receive this special recognition. Winners of both awards will be recognized at the in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building on Saturday, Feb. 28.

In addition to signing up restaurants and businesses interested in being participating locations for its off-site portion of the cook-off, the VTC is hosting registration for amateur and professional teams interested in competing in its in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building. The in-person event can accept a maximum of 35 teams. Each entry at the in-person event will be scored by a panel of local judges, with winners taking home top bragging rights and cash prizes. Those in attendance will also be able to vote for their favorite, which will receive the People’s Choice Award.

Those wishing to enter the competition at the Dulles State Office Building must complete an entry packet and those wishing to be a participating location for the tri-county competition must register in advance. The registration process for each may be started online at www.volunteertransportationcenter.org, with the registration form under the North Country Chili Cook-Off section. Information may also be requested by calling Mr. Papineau at 315-303-2590 or sending an email to foundation@volunteertransportation.org. Additional paperwork will be provided once initial registration forms are received. The deadline to register for the cook-off is Monday, Jan. 26.

In addition, sponsors are being sought for this event, with those interested encouraged to reach out to Mr. Papineau by phone or email. The deadline for sponsorships is Monday, Jan. 19.

Proceeds of the North Country Chili Cook-Off will benefit the Volunteer Transportation Center, which provides essential rides to health care appointments, grocery shopping, and other destinations for residents with no transportation alternatives. Funds raised through the cook-off are earmarked to provide transportation to veterans and their family members, which make up roughly one-third of those transported by volunteer drivers through the VTC.