Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – October 31, 2024 – A dark, rainy Halloween day that includes a lunchtime chili cooking contest would seem to be a fun, enjoyable time for most.

Not so fast.  For several years (no one can seem to remember exactly how long), the employees of the Jonesboro Radio Group have conducted their own in-house chili cooking contest. And the competition intensity was at its highest!

Christie Matthews took the top prize for the fourth time in five years Thursday. Jim Frigo finished second for the third consecutive time. New competitor Ellie Smith finished third.

“I’m awesome, I’m over-the-top, no one makes chili better than me, I’m back!” said Matthews, whose streak was broken last year by newcomer Brandi Raney. On Thursday Matthews was seen showing her well-known humble side when it comes to competitions.

“I just can’t get over the hump,” said Frigo who showed the most outward angst about this year’s competition. “I guess I’m going to just have to back off the heat a little and add a little more sugar. That seems to be what the judges want.”

“Not bad for my first year,” said third-place Smith. “Next year, I’m coming after you, Christie Matthews!”

Veteran chili competition judge Chad Neil served as the chief judge for this year’s event. Craighead County Judge Marvin Day and food service sales and restaurant owner Brian Biggs were also judges. “There wasn’t a bad chili in the bunch,” said Neil. “I’d come back for more of any of them.”

There were a total of ten entries this year, the most of any previous JRG chili contest.

The order of finish was:
1. Christie Matthews
2. Jim Frigo
3. Ellie Smith
4. Mitch Mahan
5. Tyler Sitzer (tie)
5. Jennifer Weaver (tie)
7. Trey Stafford
8. Rachel Rudd
9. Audrey Guinn
10. Phil Jamison

Phil Jamison submitted his regular entry, a white chicken-based soup consistency mixture. “In my defense, I was volunteered for this,” said Jamison. Judge Day told Jamison “you had one of the best flavors, Phil. But we were looking for chili!”

Mitch Mahan probably submitted the most unique tasting chili, a smoke flavor with a hint of beer.

Many felt Audrey Guinn was penalized in the contest due to her public admission that her husband, Blake, prepared her entry. “Blake does all of the cooking at my house,” Audrey said. “I do everything else. I drove to Wal-Mart. I drove to Bill’s. I drove to the county line. Blake cooked it.”

Stephanie Benish garnished the dessert table with her apple dumplings and pumpkin cake “crack.” Josh Wilcoxson supplied an “ooey gooey cookie” from Sue’s Kitchen Express.

Happy Halloween from JonesboroRightNow.com and everyone at the Jonesboro Radio Group.