What's Happening in Hanover, PA…

Over the Labor Day weekend, cooks from across the US descended on Hanover to prove that their chili really was the best.

An estimated 50 chefs participated in the contest, while between 8,000 and 10,000 people were expected to attend the event.

Among this year's contestants was Bill Thomas, who traveled all the way from South Carolina. His chili was entered in the International Chili Society PA State Championship's Red Division. Thomas uses a recipe handed down from his uncle, who was the inspiration for his team's name – Uncle Chuckles.

Although this was Thomas' first Hanover Chili Cook Off, he has more than 25 years of experience as a competitive cook. He has several regional and state competitions and awards under his belt.

Those who participate in cook-offs can use printing companies, not to produce recipe cards with their secret ingredients and instructions, but instead to produce Banners and Signs telling passersby about the chili.

Jeremy Levy, a 10-year-old from Baltimore, was the head cook of a red chili and entered it in the cook-off's youth division. Despite his young age, he is no stranger to cook-offs, placing fifth during the world championship last year.

Another highlight of the cook-off this year was a jalapeno eating contest. Russell Frew, from Red Lion, took home the trophy – particularly impressing since it was his first time participating in a jalapeno eating contest.

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