Cove, AR – Live Oak Baptist Church is pleased to announce our 1st Annual Chili & Gumbo Cook-off, a fundraiser for our Building Fund. The event will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Polk County Fairgrounds (inside the Commercial Building). The chili cook-off portion of the event is an International Chili Society Certified Event. The winner of the Chili Cook-off will receive free entrance into the Worldwide Chili Cook-off in 2024.
“We are excited to bring a new type of event to Polk County. It will be a fun-filled, family-oriented event for all ages,” said Pastor Paul Pullen of Live Oak Baptist Church. “Everyone does chili cook-offs, but no one does Gumbo cook-offs.”
The event will raise much needed funds to help the church complete our building. Fire destroyed the original building in December 2012. Construction of the downstairs portion has been mostly completed but the upstairs has not. This event is expected to bring participants from far and near. There will also be Gospel singing and Children’s activities. Concessions will be available throughout the entire event.
Registration and set up begin at 9:00 am with the opening ceremony beginning at 11:00 am. The actual cooking of the chili and gumbo begins at 12:00 pm and will last until 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm respectively. Gospel singing will be from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. and the awards ceremony will be at 5:00 pm.
There is a $25 per cook, per category entrance fee. Tasting by the public goes from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm or until all the chili and gumbo are gone. Doors open for the public at 10:30 am and admission is $10 per person. This includes the tasting of all the chili and gumbo, entertainment (including Gospel singing), and children’s activities. Prizes will be awarded in each category.
Pre-Registration to compete in the cook-off is not required but is requested due to indoor cooking space.
Live Oak Baptist Church is an independent, non-affiliated church with an average attendance of 20 but with lots of space for growth. Pastor Pullen has been with the church since April 2022.
To register to cook in this event, or for more information, contact Pastor Paul Pullen at 870-387-0013 or LiveOakPastor@gmail.com.