RumbergerKirk’s Cookin’ Counselors – Rebecca Beers, Fred Clarke and Scott Williams – awoke in the early morning hours to stir up another batch of award-winning chili for the 21^st Annual Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off which was held on Saturday, March 1, 2025. It was the second consecutive year the Cookin’ Counselor’s chili was selected as a semi-finalist, which is in the top 50 of over 130 teams competing.

But the real winner is The Exceptional Foundation which expects the event to bring in a third of its operating budget raising over $450,000.  The Exceptional Foundation serves over 700 individuals with special needs annually. They provide year-round social and recreational services for individuals ranging in age from 5 to 81. Each year, thousands gather in support of this community favorite, named Best Community Event by Mountain Brook Magazine and Best Annual Charity Event by About Town Magazine.

Scott’s classic chili recipe has been honed to perfection over 20 years of participating in this annual event. Over the years, it has received five trophies, including a first place win, two second place finishes and two third place honors. The not-so-secret ingredient of a special smoked sausage gives it the extra flavor. Also, the team’s been using a double boiler for years to method to prevent burning.

Congratulations on another Exceptional chili cook-off!