VALDOSTA— The smell of simmering chili and the clinking of craft beer glasses filled the air at Georgia Beer Company on Saturday as the 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff brought together food lovers, local breweries, and a community committed to a greater cause. 

The event, hosted by Forgotten Coast K9, combined friendly competition with a mission to help first responders and veterans struggling with mental health challenges. Forgotten Coast K9 is dedicated to preventing veteran and first responder suicides by providing trained service dogs and comprehensive support. Their efforts ensure that those who have sacrificed for their communities receive the assistance they need. 

“All of our training is done in-house. We have some amazing trainers scattered all over the country,” stated Chris O’Brian, CEO of Forgotten Coast K9. “When we get enough money to put somebody through the program, we just put them in.”

Upon entering the event, attendees received access to a wide variety of homemade chili and craft beer from local and regional breweries, including Tvelo Brewing Company, Bandwagon Brewing Company, Silver Bluff Brewing Company, Proof Brewing Company, and Ocmulgee Brewpub. 

Each guest received a coin to vote for the People’s Choice Award, ensuring every chili contestant had a fair shot at earning the crowd’s favor. Meanwhile, a panel of judges, which included members of the Forgotten Coast K9 team and Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan, determined the winner of the judged category.

After counting the coins and judging the chili, the organizers prepared to announce the cookoff results. Joseph Lain of Grinnin’ Possum took home the People’s Choice Award, winning over the taste buds of the deciding crowd. Inside Georgia Beer Company, the panel of judges concluded that Pierce and Ron Abercrombie’s chili was the best around.