Valdosta State University Campus Wellness will hold its second annual Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the University Center Magnolia Room.
 
VSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and community friends are invited to compete for the title of VSU Chili Master. Contest registration is $20 per chili entered and limited to 20 competitors. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Nov. 5.
 
Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off contestants will compete in three categories — VSU Chili Master, People’s Choice, and Best Healthy Chili. The Chili Master winner will earn a $100 prize, and the People’s Choice and Best Healthy Chili winners will each take home $50. Winners will also receive a gift basket and trophy.
 
A panel of judges comprised of VSU and community members will score each chili based on color, aroma, consistency, taste, and aftertaste. An awards ceremony will take place at the end of the event for all cook-off winners.
 
Admission to the Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off is $5 per person for those who want to support their favorite competitor or taste some of Valdosta’s best chili.
 
All proceeds from this event will support VSU’s Campus Wellness.
 
Campus Wellness promotes an increased awareness and practice of a healthy lifestyle by offering a variety of educational activities and programs that address the social, intellectual, occupational, spiritual, physical, and emotional wellness of the university’s faculty, staff, and student population. This includes the annual Benefits and Wellness Fair, which gives students, faculty, staff, and retirees the opportunity to meet with dozens of representatives to learn about health, wellness, retirement, and benefit plans; healthy living challenges such as Walk Georgia and Keep America Active; group fitness classes; Dine and Discover; special initiatives like the Employee Assistance Program; and more. Additionally, VSU’s campus features the Walking Trail System, which includes the Fitness Route, the Scenic Route, the Historical Plants Tour, and the Whitehead Camellia Trail, which are open to the public.
 
Campus Wellness also collaborates with the College of Nursing and Health Sciences on VSU’s Exercise is Medicine program, a health initiative focused on physical activity being integral to the prevention and treatment of diseases. VSU has consistently earned national gold and silver level recognition for its Exercise is Medicine program.