Morganton, NC – There’s only one place to go if you want to taste dozens of chili recipes while watching all of the action of the ACC Basketball Tournament and that is at the Morganton Downtown Development Association’s 25th Annual ACC Chili Cook-Off. The Cook-Off features over two dozen recipes from commercial and amateur entries from across Burke County and beyond. While taking a bite out of a bowl of chili, patrons will be able to relax and enjoy the noon showing of the ACC Basketball Tournament.

The Chili Cook-Off presented by Farm Bureau Insurance takes place on Thursday, March 14th at the Morganton Community House (120 North King Street) from 11:00am to 1:30pm. A BARGAIN PRICED $7.00 ticket buys all-you-can-eat chili with ALL the fixin’s: cornbread, salad, desert and drink! Can’t dine in? You can get your meal to go.

There are fifteen restaurants already signed up to compete for “The BEST chili in town”! You’ll be able to sample chili from the following restaurants during the cook-off: Abele’s Restaurant, Allison’s Restaurant, Community House, Friday Friends, Grind Café, Homer’s, Judge’s Riverside, Limbertwig’s, Mountain Burrito, Panera Bread, Pat’s Snack Bar, Root and Vine, Sagebrush, Silver Fork Winery, and Timberwoods. And if you have a chili recipe that you think is on fire, we encourage you to enter into the amateur competition! To enter, visit www.downtownmorganton.com for amateur entry forms. On the day of the event, simply bring your crock-pot of chili to the Morganton Community House between 7:30am and 9:00am on Thursday, March 14th. Spicy, vegetarian and all other types welcome. Prizes given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners! See the website for complete details.

Chili Cook-off tickets are available online at www.downtownmorganton.com, and in person at the Main Street Office, 112B W. Union Street. Tickets may also be purchased from DDA Board Members and are available the day of the event at the door.

Proceeds for this event go to sponsor the various projects that are supported by the Downtown Development Association such as the annual Halloween Downtown Trick or Treating and Costume Contest, the annual Christmas Parade, sponsorship for a TGIF Concert and promotion of Downtown Morganton as a premier shopping, dining, and business locale.

Sponsors for the 25th Annual Chili Cook-off include: Presenting sponsor – Burke County Farm Bureau Insurance, Small and Martin Orthodontics, ERA Mountain View Properties, Panera Bread, Pepsi and Food Lion. Additional supporters include: CoMPAS X-Stream, Kicks 103.3 FM, and Simply Green Recycling. For more information, call the Downtown Morganton Main Street office at 828-438-5250.