This year’s event was bigger and spicier than ever, with Brothers stepping up to the stove to submit their finest chili recipes in honor of Brother Dave Craven—a man whose warmth, generosity, and love for a good bowl of chili continues to inspire us.

The Rules of the Cook-Off

No ordinary chili contest, this one follows a time-honored judging system that honors both craftsmanship and camaraderie.

Official Judging Panel

Four esteemed judges evaluated each entry:

• The Council Trustees
• Last year’s champion

Scoring Criteria

Each chili was judged on four key elements:

1. Color – A rich, hearty appearance (with a little creative leeway allowed).
2. Aroma – Must smell inviting; a good scent is the first hint of great taste.
3. Consistency – The perfect balance of tender meat and smooth gravy. Not too dry, watery, grainy, lumpy, or greasy—just right.
4. Taste – A harmonious blend of spices, heat, and depth. No single flavor should dominate.

The Brother’s Choice Award

Every council member (except the judges) played a role in the fun. Each received three voting tickets to distribute however they liked:

• All three on one favorite?
• One each to three standouts?
• Two for a top pick, one for a close second?

The chili with the most votes earned the coveted Brother’s Choice title—and those votes also counted toward the final overall ranking.

And the Winners Are…

After spoons were dipped, aromas savored, and ballots cast, the results were in!

1st Place: John Geraerdts
2nd Place: Ed Walsh
3rd Place: Dave Donnelly
Brother’s Choice: John Claman

Congratulations to our 2025 champions! John Geraerdts takes home the grand prize and the honor of defending his title next year.

A Special Thank You

A huge thank you to:

• All the Brothers who entered — your passion and creativity made this event unforgettable.
• Our judges, for their discerning palates and fair scoring.
• The setup and cleanup crews, who kept everything running smoothly.

Events like this remind us why we’re more than a council—we’re a family.

Mark Your Calendar!

The Dave Craven Memorial Chili Cook-Off will return in 2026. Start perfecting your recipe now—will you be the next champion?

Comment below: What’s your secret chili ingredient?

Participants showcased their culinary skills, crafting various chili recipes for the judges and fellow council members to savor. The judging panel, comprised of council trustees and the previous year’s champion, evaluated each entry based on color, aroma, consistency, taste, and overall bite.

In addition to the judges’ scores, attendees were invited to cast up to three votes for their favorite chili in the Brother’s Choice category. The combined scores from both categories determined the ultimate winners.

John Giordano claimed the top prize, followed by Keith George in second place and John Geraerdts in third. Congratulations to all participants, and thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this flavorful event.