BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – The results are in for the 16th annual Chili Cookoff hosted by the Boardman Optimist Club.
More than a dozen celebrity chefs served up their secret recipes for votes Wednesday night at Avion on the Water.
First News Anchor Lindsey Watson served as emcee for the third year in a row.
This year’s competition was close and it got heated.
In the Battle of the Broadcasters, Weekend Morning Anchor Samantha Bender took home the top prize. She was up against Storm Team 27 Meteorologist Ryan Halicki and First News Morning Anchor Josh Frketic.
Last year, Halicki won Battle of the Broadcasters and Favorite Celebrity, while Frketic won Hottest Chili.
The other big winners of the night included Austintown Trustee Robert Santos for Hottest Chili, candidate for Mahoning County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Maro for Most Original Chili and Mahoning County Commissioner Dave Ditzler for Favorite Political Chili.
Anthony Traficanti continued his streak, taking home the trophy for Best Chili Overall.
All of the money raised goes back to the Optimist Club to invest in various local programs.
