CARTHAGE, MO - Some of it was hot, some was not, it was made with chicken, pork, turkey and even sausage, and the responsibility for tasting it and judging it fell on two local celebrities and the principal of the Pleasant Valley School.

Elaine Wurst, with the Pleasant Valley Parent-Teacher Organization, said nine contestants entered the school's first ever chili contest, held Saturday at the school's annual chili feed.

Television personality Alan Matthews, food writer Cheryle Finley and Pleasant Valley Principal Brenten Byrd judged the contest.

The top three of the nine contestants split a pot of $36. For the rest of the more than 100 people who attended the chili feed, it was a chance to enjoy some good food and support a good cause.

Kelly Talley, president of the Pleasant Valley PTO, said the group has used the proceeds from past chili feeds and other fundraisers to buy new playground equipment.

"We've had an awesome turnout, and we're hoping this year to purchase even more equipment," Talley said. "Some of the playground equipment we had was over 60 years old. Last year we raised $1,300 at this event, and if we could raise that, it would be great."

Photo by Jenn Potter on Flickr.