The smell of steaming chili filled the language hallway as the Spanish club prepared food for their chili cook off fundraiser. The Spanish club held a chili cook off on November 1, after school, in Señora Planas’ room to raise money for other activities later in the year.

“[We] hope that over time the money that they raise will go to field trips,” said Spanish club Advisor Suzanne Planas.

According to Sra. Planas, with the entrance fee of three dollars, the Spanish club raised 50 dollars with the cook off this year, which can later go toward future field trips. These trips provide students in the club an opportunity to expand their knowledge about Spanish culture.

“It’s a fun thing to spread the Spanish culture,” said junior Spanish Club President David Miller.

With a grand prize of a large Mexican hot chocolate making kit, and smaller prizes for the other competitors, the chili competitors worked hard to make their chili the best. The two judges, Mason teachers Mr. Brad McAdam and Mr. Peter Laub, tasted all the chili and made their final decision based off of a few different factors.

“I picked the chili that had [the most] flavor, originality, [and] a bit of spice” Laub said.

“I imagined which chili I wanted a whole bowl of,” McAdam said.

The final winners were Olivia and Caleb Taliaferro.

“[The Taliaferro’s’ Chili] won because it had the most flavor,” said Laub.

“Lots of people think of chili as ground meat,” Olivia said. “[Instead] we used steak [in our recipe],” Caleb said.

The Taliaferro’s chili was an old Texas family recipe. They let it sit to seep in all the flavors overnight.

The Spanish Club plans to continue this tradition for years to come. It serves as a profitable fundraiser, a social event for students, and a look into Spanish cuisine.

“I think it’s starting to raise awareness [about the Spanish culture.] It’s a first step,” Planas said