Utah post hosts chili cook-off to help veterans

A chili cook-off in Utah last Saturday helped support local veterans and their families.

American Legion Lester Keate Post 90 in St. George, Utah, will use proceeds from the first Utah State Chili Cook-Off to help military families in the community, including providing food and basic needs for veterans and their families and scholarships for military children.

Pam Palermo, Post 90's events coordinator who organized the cook-off, told the St. George News that helping military families is a commitment that the post takes very seriously.

Saturday’s event, hosted by Post 90 and sanctioned by the International Chili Society, drew cooks from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah to compete in three classes: red chili, chili verde and salsa.

The first-place winner in each category will compete in the International Chili Society World Championship in Reno, Nev., Oct. 21-23.

In addition to the cook-off, the event included live entertainment, a children’s parade, soap box derby races and more.

Post 90, the oldest veterans service organization in Utah, takes its name from Utah native Daniel Lester Keate, who served with the 5th Marines during World War I. He died in action Oct. 4, 1918, at Champagne, France.

Vie Van Noy, director of community relations and recreation for Southern Utah Veterans Home, praised Post 90’s efforts.

“The American Legion has given to the veterans home so often, in large and small ways, and have made donations and given their time,” Van Noy told the St. George News. “So we wanted to make sure we were here to serve and also to be a resource for those here today.”