Chili lovers packed the Dudley L. Brown VFW in Onset on February 25, in celebration of the first ever Onset Chili Contest, a fundraiser for the Onset Summer of Love weekly music series.

Roughly 130 people attended the event, according to organizer Kat Jones. About $1,000 was raised for the summer concerts, which are sponsored in part by the Onset Bay Association.

Despite the snowy weather, the competition was hot. The contestants included 15 local restaurants and resident chili connoisseurs, each with its own unique blend of herbs and spices to wow the crowd.

Participants made the rounds, sampling all 15 entries before voting for their favorite. Bob Dillon of the Little Red Smokehouse in South Caver took the title for Best Overall Chili with 23 votes. Contestants Melissa Waas and Owen Flood ranked second best, missing the top spot by just one vote. Dillion took home a $100 cash prize for his recipe.

"It's about flavor, it's about smoke, it's about the essence of all the things that goes into it," explained Dillon, who has won several chili contests with this recipe. "There are chilies, there are lots of different kinds of peppers that go into it, but you taste them rather than have them scorch you."

Allison Shaugnessy took home the honors for "Hottest Chili". Lynne Besse of The Travel Scene was awarded "Best Presentation," and the title of "Best Vegetarian Chili" went to Michelle and Mike Mcgee from Onset sandwich shop, The Fresh Food Cafe.

Win or lose, the event was enjoyed by all.

"It's awesome," said chili-taster Chris Donelan. "We needed something like this to bring everyone's spirit up."

Chili may have been the star of the show, but guests also enjoyed live music from Groovy Afternoon, as well as a 50/50 raffle and merchandise raffle.