Traditional meats such as beef and bison and unusual additions such as tuna and quahogs provided all the necessary ingredients for fierce competition at Onset's third annual Chili Contest on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Held at Salerno's Function Hall, nine contestants were vying for the bragging rights and $100 prize that came with the title of "best overall chili."

The contest raised more than $1,000 for the Onset Summer of Love Music Series, which will bring 10 bands to the Onset Band Shell this summer for free-of-charge concerts.

"All the contestants are incredibly enthusiastic," organizer Kat Jones said as the final "people's choice" ballots were being submitted on Saturday.

"Best overall chili" was awarded to Bob Costello, whose chili featured a myriad of meats.

Contestants also battled for the titles of hottest chili, best vegetarian chili, and best presentation.

Janie Macausian, drummer for the band The ChIcKz, which performed during the event, took home the "hottest chili" title. Lori Benson was awarded "best vegetarian chili."

Onset architect Bill Lockwood and his wife, Linda, went all out in presentation, and won that category. They served up their spicy concoction from "Chili Willy's Cantina," which was decorated with a rubber chicken, a rubber snake, and signs urging contestants to "vote for [chili number] 8!"

A new category, "Is it really chili?" was added this year. Perhaps not surprisingly, Ian Gilligan and his tuna and quahog chili won that category.

"It's all about the charity and having fun," said Onset resident Jim Franklin, who entered his Firehouse Chili in the contest for the third year.

Actually, this year, Franklin's three young daughters — 10-year-old Breanna, 8-year-old Shannon, and 6-year-old Julianna — were in charge of putting the chili together and serving it up.

"It was fun doing this," said Breanna, noting that the hardest part was "trying to get all the ingredients together."

The Summer of Love Music Series costs approximately $10,000 to put on. Jones was able to secure a $1,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to help with costs this year.

The Chili Contest "has built up over the past couple of years," she said. "I'm just very thankful to the donors and the crowd."

Jones noted that she was pleased with the turnout. Three of the contestants hadn't ever entered a chili cook-off before. More than 100 people attended the event.

"I'm just happy to do this in the middle of February," Jones said. "We all need something to do!"

Want to donate to the Summer of Love? Checks can be made out to the Onset Bay Association. Write "Summer of Love" on the memo line, and mail to PO Box 1202, Onset, 02558.