TUSTIN : 30 Teams to Vie for Chili Cook-Off Title

Mighty Morphin Chili, Firestarters and Margaritaville are among the 30 teams entered in the El Camino Real Championship Chili Cookoff scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Old Town.

About 10,000 people are expected.

Along with chili tasting and judging, the 10th annual charity event will feature live country music by Western Union, line dancing lessons, Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Legs “beauty and brawn” contests, and a variety of food and beverages.

There will also be a chili pepper eating contest “for anyone who is foolish enough to eat as many chili peppers as they can,” according to Melissa O’Neal, a city recreation supervisor.

“The street is going to be packed,” O’Neal predicted. “It’s a fun, fun day.”

Proceeds will support TAFFY (Tustin Acting for Families and Youth), a partnership of public and private agencies dedicated to improving opportunities for local children. Members of TAFFY include the Tustin Unified School District, the city of Tustin, Orange Parents and Children Together, and the Boys & Girls Club of Tustin.

Previous chili cook-offs have raised up to $7,500 for local charities, according to officials.

The cook-off will be on El Camino Real (which will be closed to vehicular traffic) between Main and 3rd streets. Additional information is available from the city of Tustin Community Services Department at (714) 573-3326.