The Ottumwa Fire Department Local 395 hosted the MDA Chili Cook-Off Saturday at Godfrey’s in Ottumwa, bringing chili chefs together to compete for top honors and the People’s Choice Award.
Big Willies Chili, prepared by Chef Bill Keith, Josh Chance and their team, took first place in the competition with a total score of 376 points. The team also claimed the People’s Choice Award.
Organizers thanked the Wapello County Emergency Management Agency for providing a generator and other supplies to help make the event possible.
The 2026 MDA Chili Cook-Off winners were:
- First Place: Big Willies Chili – Chef Bill Keith and Josh Chance, 376 points
- Second Place: Tyler Paull, 341 points
- Third Place: Ryan Waters, 323 points
- Fourth Place: Fatty Daddy Chili Company – Chef Russell Krieger, 321 points
- Fifth Place: Misfits – Chef Doug Paull, 319 points
- Sixth/Seventh Place (tie): Fatty Daddy Chili Company – Chef Russell Krieger, Spicy Version, 315 points
- Sixth/Seventh Place (tie): Josh Reynolds, 315 points
- Eighth Place: Reece Overstreet, 313 points
- Ninth Place: The Spice Is Right – Chef Natalie Thomas, 305 points
- Tenth Place: Big Back Food Truck – Trenton Miller, Burger/Pork, 301 points
- Eleventh Place: Big Back Food Truck – Trenton Miller, Burger, 290 points
Big Willies Chili, featuring Chef Bill Keith, Josh Chance and their team, was also named the People’s Choice winner.
The event brought together local chili cooks and community members in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Source: Event results provided by the MDA Chili Cook-Off organizers.
Photo credit: Donna Savits, Your Local News Hawk, for Ottumwa Radio
