The weather was perfect, the atmosphere lively and the chili was hot at the 12th annual Hyla Chili Cook-Off.

Eight island restaurants went toe-to-toe with their delicious and varied offerings: red chili, spicy chili, vegetarian, chunky chicken chowder chili, even one with beans specially ordered from Italy.

After serious lip-smacking deliberation, both the judges and the popular-voting, chili-eating public, gave this year’s Best Chili award to The Harbour Public House. Congratulations to Chef Jeff!

Thanks to the participating chili chefs at Andante, Cafe Nola, Cafe Trios, Real Foods Market and Cafe, Casa Rojas, San Carlos, Doc’s Marina and Grill, and to Real Foods Cafe and the Blackbird Bakery for the delicious cornbread.

Many thanks also to all at Sound Reprographics, Corey Signs, BITV, The Review and The Islander for helping us get the word out; to Linda Slater and “Go Get THe Oxygen,” for the music; to Penelope’s Restaurant and Commuter Comforts for raffle baskets; and, last but not least, to judges Nancy Baron, Luke Carpenter, Jason Gibson, Tony D’Onofrio, Carol Cassella and Georgia Angus.

Don’t wait until next year’s event to find out about life at Hyla – just come on by to see what we’re doing in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

Debbie Jenkins and

families of Hyla Middle School