WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing held a chili cook-off Dec. 2, 2019 to support this year’s Toys for Tots. Attendees were asked to donate a toy for a bowl of chili and dessert.
The aroma of peppers, tomatoes and chili powder filled the air as 13 pots of chili with names such as “Let Er Rip,” “Cowboy Chili,” and “Texas Red” were simmering all morning for the event.
Master Sgt. Tim Back, 445th Force Support Squadron Communications Element, knowledge management center superintendent, has been entering the chili cook off since 2004.
“My secret ingredients this year for my “Chili 2019” were cilantro and split pea. In the past, I’ve made “Cincinnati Chili,” “Halloween Chili” and “Candy Corn Chili. “It’s always for a good cause.”
Col. Jay Smeltzer, 445th Maintenance Group commander, Lt. Col. Jerry Quincy, 89th Airlift Squadron director of operations and Maj. Karen Gharst, 445th Aircraft Maintenance commander, served as judges. The judges chose Tech. Sgt. Joshua Slusser’s, 445th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment craftsman, chili as the winner with Chief Master Sgt. Dan Porta’s, 445th Maintenance Squadron superintendent, chili coming in second place.
The Toys for Tots campaign runs through Dec. 9. Donation boxes are located throughout the wing and will be collected Dec. 9th. For more information, call Master Sgt. Cheryl Baird at 513-801-5110 or Senior Master Sgt. Rhonda Gambill at 267-257-4557.