On Sept. 12, Amador Valley High School (AVHS) teachers gathered for the annual AVHS Staff Chili Cook-off. Teachers from various departments competed for the coveted Chili Champion title. The winning chili was judged on its taste, aroma, texture, and spice level, served alongside cornbread.
A friendly competition among staff
“We have competitors from every department—science, math, special ed, languages—each bringing their best chili recipe,” explained Mrs. Rodriguez. “We all get to taste them and decide which one we like best.”
The Chili Cook-off, revived following the 2020 lockdown, has now become a yearly tradition, fostering a sense of community among staff members.
“We held this event before COVID, but it’s really grown as a fun way to bring the staff together,” said AVHS PE Teacher Mrs. Scavone.
Unique Chili Creations
Each contestant showcased their individuality by varying the seasoning and spices in their chili. Some included an array of vegetables while others packed their recipes with different meats.
“I’ve used this recipe for about 10 years—it has all my favorite ingredients: bacon, beans, and buffalo,” said AVHS Culinary Arts Teacher Mr. Dady.
“The cooking process takes about 3 hours, but it’s important to let it sit for a few more hours to develop the flavors fully,” he added.
Strengthening Bonds Over a Meal
The cook-off isn’t just about food; it’s about bringing teachers together. “The purpose is to share a meal and connect with colleagues we don’t always see because we’re spread out across campus,” said English Teacher Mrs. Kamali.
To ensure fairness, the identities of the chili makers remained hidden so that the judges could score each dish fairly. Opinions on the best chili varied among the judges.
“My favorite ones were numbers 8 and number 7,” said Kamali.
Announcing the Winner
In the end, Mr. Dady took first place, while Ms. Britto finished second. Regardless of the final results, the event succeeded in boosting school spirit.
“Building camaraderie and school spirit is my favorite part of this event,” said Scavone.
