Coming up Saturday: The Zoo's Chili Cookoff

Do you have a mean chili recipe? Show what your chili is made of on Saturday at the Zoo's 32nd Annual Chili Cookoff.

This sounds like a great event. First prize is $100 and the proceeds benefit Northwest Harvest. 

Anyone can enter and anyone can be a judge ... for a small fee. Here are the details:

• First prize is $100.
• It'll cost you $15 to enter your chili. That gets you a tasting bowl and a ballot and a chance to win. First 15 paid entrants also get a free chili cookoff t-shirt.
• One gallon of chili minimum per entry.
• For $8, you get a tasting bowl and a ballot but you don't have to enter any chili. Donate some food, and the fee to vote is only $6. In other words, anyone can come taste and vote.
• The people's ballots determine the winner.
• The event runs from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, but: You have to present your chili by 5:30 p.m. to be eligible for the prize.
• Sign up at the Zoo Tavern, 2310 Eastlake Ave. E.
• Official rules are the the Zoo's web site under the "Events" section.
• And, most important: All proceeds benefit the Northwest Harvest Food Bank.

I'll try to stop by on Saturday before the University District Food Bank Auction and see how it's going.