Chili Cookoff Brings Taste of the West to Christ Community Church

Christ Community Church members got chili. The annual Round-up day and chili cookoff attracted over 100 visitors, who enjoyed a music-filled service after a morning chili contest. Winners were announced by a panel of judges for first, second and third places. Over 15 chilis were entered into the contest, shared Travis Daggett, who leads the Christ Community Church’s house band and is also the son of Pastor OJ Philpot. The chili cookoff and following chuckwagon lunch has been a church tradition for 16 years, said Philpot. Before organizing the event at Christ Community Church, he shared he also hosted a chili cookoff at West End Christian Fellowship for 25 years. Chili judges included Provident Bank’s Justin Gilbert and Holly Wood, the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Oscar Valdepeña and Quashnick Chiropractic’s Dr. Paul Quashnick. The chili cookoff is not a fundraiser, explained Philpot, but rather is designed for congregation members simply to enjoy. “It’s something fun we do and we hope it brings a little bit of outreach,” Philpot said. After the 10 a.m. church service, congregation members gathered for the chuckwagon lunch, where they were invited to sample all 18 chilis and also enjoy other eats like salad, cornbread and pies, all handmade by congregation members.