KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo - Cook off for a cause

Cook off for a cause

 Lawton, OKLa._

It was the perfect winter day for a big bowl of chili. And that's exactly what warmed up some Vets Saturday at the Lawton-Fort Sill Disabled Veterans Center.

It was the 7th annual Veterans Chili cook off and things heated up when some of the judges sampled some of Lawton's finest chili.

 From spicy Southwest, to fajita meat, and even ribs right off the bone--there was plenty of chili to go around having chefs on their toes filling lots of bowls for some hungry vets.

"Mines kind of a hot type chili, usually I make mild." said competitor Benny Miles.

"Every time I make it, they tear it up and they always want some more." said competitor Caroline Garcia.

"The touch, long cooking and you know since I've been cooking for so long it just taste good." another competitor Harold So well said.

Chili cook-off competitors from all over Lawton cooked up a storm for a good cause.

"Anything that you can do to get out and support the veterans community is significantly important here in Lawton especially" said Tim Hedgecock

From over 9 different chili's entered --each were a little bit different and unique in their own way.

"No two chili's are made the same, these guys all have their own idea of what is great and what is good and hopefully the judges will be the ones that will decide today what is the best chili." said Hedgecock

But with several options there could only be one winner- some of the judges were disabled veterans themselves, who were looking for something extra special.

"Hopefully the best taste and I don't know what that is I know in the past we've had winners that we're a little more spicy or a little less spicy but it's more about serving and being out here with the community and getting the guys warmed up in January or early February."

But win or loose one key ingredient all chefs seemed to agree on....

"Well I enjoy helping out the veterans and allowing to work with our co-op partners and its a group effort to show a little love to the guys at the vet center- some of them don't have families or people to visit them." said chef Miles

"I enjoy coming here and listening to the stories of our veterans and its nice to know of things from your past and what you represent." said Garcia

"I wanted to be out here just to help the fellahs out, they are here in this home- no one to turn to so I come just to cook chili do things just for them to see smiles on their faces." said Sowell