The scent of slow-cooked meat, beans and secret ingredients filled Redmen Hall as competitors vied to see who is the champion — of chili, that is.

The members of the Redmen Hall hosted their first chili competition Saturday, Feb. 8 which featured 13 cooks from the Wareham area competing to see who makes the best chili.

Competition organizer Jeff Reed said they wanted to do something different this year, in place of their usual chowder festival. The event, whether chili or chowder based, serves as a way for the Redmen to promote themselves and support the community.

During the competition, the Redmen raffled off gift cards and other donated items from many local businesses as well as selling lottery tickets with a portion of the proceeds donated to Homes for the Warriors, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans get housing.

Each of the 13 cooks brought a chili slightly different from their competitors. Some brought classic homemade chilis with plenty of beans and beef, others brought chilis that were packed with spice and some wouldn't reveal the secrets stirring in their slow cookers.

Captain Courtney DeBlois was representing the Wareham Fire Department while serving cups of their award winning chili.

He said they developed the recipe around 10 years ago and ever since then it has been a hit within the department and beyond.

DeBlois added the department is no stranger to chili competitions, having competed in them for 10 years. He said they have received praise from other competitions they have been to, but wouldn't reveal the secrets to their chili.

"It's the best," said DeBlois.

However, no chili was a match for Mark Kauranen’s. He said his chili was full of meat, beans and other ingredients he spent 10 hours smoking.

The only insight DeBlois would reveal was that every good chili needs a good beer and the fire department uses a specific ale.

Also competing for the top spot in the competition was husband and wife Brian and Sheri Clayton.

"We're here to have a good time and enjoy ourselves," said Brian.

To spice up the competition, Brian and Sheri each brought their own chili to settle once and for all, who has the best recipe.

Brian described his dish as "really basic featuring beef, peppers and a bunch of spices."

Sheri, a cook at Narrow's Restaurant, brought the homemade chili she makes for the restaurant featuring hamburger, onion, tomato and her secret seasoning.

While bragging rights were on the line for the couple, Brian said it is all in good fun.

"It's just a joke we do," said Brian.

Krysten Condon, Donna Mann and her husband Doug Mann attended the event not only to try some chili but to support the Redmen as well.

"It's a great facility for our community," said Condon.

Donna shared similar feelings calling the Redmen "a great asset to our community."

"It has yet to disappoint, every time we're here we have a good time," said Donna.