Laughter fills the cafeteria as teachers file in from their classrooms after working all morning. One by one, they each grab cups of chili and soup to sample, with some teachers grabbing many servings. The cafeteria only gets louder as they sit down and sample each dish, making comments on whose is the best before sliding their chairs out to go grab a dessert. Despite this being a competition, the environment remains and upbeat.
The second annual Bellevue East High School chili cook off between the teachers took place on October 11 and was a fun way to bring teachers together while enjoying each other’s food.
“[The cook-off] brings the staff together,” instructor Kristina Sonntag said. “It shows us a side of ourselves that we don’t usually get to show at work, and I think eating together is a really good tradition that humans have.”
This year was only the second year of the chili cook-off, but teacher participation was at an all time high. Each teacher slowly poured into the cafeteria after their work day and set up their crock pots, getting ready for the event. Not every teacher brought something, but as instructor David Bossman entered the cafeteria he set up his chili for others to enjoy.
“I brought a chili that I made last night because I like to cook and this is fun,” instructor David Bossman said.
While the cook-off is meant to be fun, there is an element of competition. There were several entries in each of the three categories, which were chili, soup, and dessert. Each category had its own winner as well as one overall winner. The victors were decided by a handful of judges, and among them was instructor Kristina Sonntag, who is a new judge this year.
“I just love to eat and I love to try new foods, and I like to be adventurous,” Sonntag said.
The 2023 chili cook-off was won by instructor Robert Cote, who made chili both this year and last year. Many of the other teachers believed he would be another top contender this year, again entering into the chili category with a full crock pot that took an entire week to make.
“I did a smoked three meat chili because that’s what I make,” Cote said.
Despite the event itself being a competition, not everyone showed interest in coming out on top. More than anything, the teachers are there to make memories and enjoy food together. The majority of the competition was spent eating at tables and having a good time with colleagues.
“I don’t do it for the competition as much as the fun of it when it becomes competitive it’s no fun anymore,” Cote said.
Even though Cote was a fierce competitor to many, he ultimately didn’t win any of the categories. Instructor Joe Hamik won for chili, and instructor Piper Porras won both the soup category and was the grand champion.
“I just think it’s fun to have the staff kind of come together, share food, and it’s kind of fun to see the creative side of people and kind of what they bring to the table,” Bossman said.
