Chili Blues Cook-Off adds heat to USD Dakota Days

Chili Blues Cook-Off adds heat to USD Dakota Days More than a dozen area chefs are cooking up a tasty celebration of food and music at the Vermillion Area Arts Councilâ�?�?s 18th annual Chili Blues Cook-Off on Saturday, Oct. 11. Spicy, mild, vegetarian and Texas-style, the Chili Blues cooks will have a chili to suit all visitors to the event, which starts at 6 p.m. at the home of the Vermillion Area Arts Council, the Washington Street Arts Center, 202 S. Washington St., Vermillion. The annual event coincides with The University of South Dakotaâ�?�?s Dakota Days homecoming celebration. Chili Blues guests will taste samples from each contestant and cast their votes for their favorite to win the â�?�?Peopleâ�?�?s Choiceâ�? award. Three judges from the community will also weigh in to award the â�?�?Judgeâ�?�?s Choiceâ�? to their favorite chili concoction. In addition to chili selections, the cook-off will feature a variety of cornbreads, side dishes and desserts. Pop, beer and wine will be available for an additional purchase. The classic jazz quintet, Jazz Portraits, will entertain the hungry guests throughout the evening. The members of Jazz Portraits are C.J. Kocher, saxophone; Jeff Soukup, trumpet; Dave Olson, piano; Mike Andersen, bass; and Greg Olsen, drums. Tickets to Chili Blues, which includes admittance to the event and all food, are $10 for each Vermillion Area Arts Council adult member; $15 for non-member adults; $5 for children ages 11-18, and free for children ages 10 and under.