This Saturday, Feb. 11, there will be chili “chefs” vying for bragging rights as to whose chili was selected as the best during the Eighth Annual Chili With A Chance For Chocolate Taste-Off being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the Wellsboro Winter Celebration.

Those who want to taste the chili and select the three top winners can call the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce office at 570-724-1926 or visit 114 Main Street between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily through this Friday, Feb. 10 to purchase a taste-off passport for $5.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 11, the day of the event, passports will only be available outdoors in front of Penn Oak Realty, Inc. at 65 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Passport holders can visit as many of the 13 sites as they wish to taste chili and show their passport number to enter the drawing for that site’s basket of chocolates. There are 13 baskets of chocolates to win, one at each chili location.

William Waltz and his grandfather Bill Colson will be at From My Shelf Books & Gifts with their seafood-based Eldritch Chili.

At Garrison’s Clothing will be Doug and Sue’s Double Delish Chili, a four-bean chili created by Doug Statts and Sue Cummings.

At Hillstone Farms will be Todd Webster’s Hold The Beans and Cough Chili, a traditional Texas-style chili made of all meat and spices and no beans.

Angie Lindie will be at Kelly’s Canyon Country Crafts at 31 Waln Street with her Red Hot Chili, which is actually not hot. It is made with beans, beef, peppers, onions, tomatoes and seasonings. 

At Oregon Hill Winery’s retail store in downtown Wellsboro, Zack Luczak is still figuring out a name for his chili. It may include wine.

The Roost’s Brandi Owlett is making Black and Gold Chili, including beef, black beans, sausage, sweet potatoes, hot peppers, onions, kidney beans and spices.

To taste Andor Szabo’s semi-hot Louisiana Chili featuring ground beef, ground pork, red beans and Andouille sausage, stop in next door at Pop’s Culture Shoppe at 25 Main Street. Szabo is chef at the Steak House at 27-29 Main Street.

Pat Schramm, owner of Shabby Rue, is making her Mammy’s Sweet Chili.

Featured at Timeless Destination is Dennis’ Chili Surprise made by Dennis Casher.

Beck’s Bistro, Senior’s Creations and the Main Street Olive Oil Company, and the Main Street Creamery are also tasting sites.

Jason Coons, manager at Wild Asaph Outfitters is creating PA Jay’s 5-Day Chili.

When tasters finish, they will cast votes for their three favorites by turning in their marked passports at any chili tasting site.

The votes will be counted and the chili winners announced. “The drawings will be held and the basket winners named, too,” said Jim Howe, organizer.

All proceeds from the taste-off will benefit rescued animals and programs offered by Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries.

For more information about the taste-off and other Wellsboro Winter Celebration events, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce office at 570-724-1926 or stop in at 114 Main Street before 4 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 10.