Left: The three Griswolds; Middle: Rick Murphy; Right: Etheridge and Michele Hardy

RUGBY, TN - The warmth of Historic Rugby’s Hester Hall matched the heat of the chili pots Saturday evening as Historic Rugby hosted its Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off & Silent Auction on February 7. The popular event brought together residents and visitors for a night of friendly competition, community connection, and fundraising.

Ten entrants prepared and shared their unique chili recipes, which included a savory vegetarian chili, spicy venison chili, turkey chili, Texas chili, and more. Attendees sampled the entries, cast their votes, and helped crown the evening’s winners while enjoying a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. MoCo Brewing Project owner Matt Graber was also on hand, providing beer on tap to accompany the hearty meal.

The competition produced a strong showing of regional culinary talent. Jonathan, Gus, and Henry Griswold earned first place honors with a flavorful Carnitas Chili, while Rick Murphy took second place. Third place was awarded in a tie to Eric Etheridge and Michele Hardy.

In addition to the chili tasting, guests bid on a variety of items in a Silent Auction, which contributed to the event’s fundraising efforts. By the end of the evening, more than $1,000 was raised in support of Historic Rugby, benefiting the organization’s preservation efforts and ongoing programming.

“Once again, our Chili Cook-Off was a resounding success,” said co-organizer Frannie Hamrick. We want to thank all of our chili cooks, volunteers, donors, and tasters for their enthusiastic participation.”

Historic Rugby looks forward to seeing everyone again this spring when its official 2026 season launches on March 19th. For the rest of the year, tours will be offered each Thursday through Sunday and Rugby’s shops, Visitor’s Centre, and Printing Works will also be open. Historic Rugby’s Irish Road Bowling Tournament will take place March 21st.

For more information about Historic Rugby and upcoming events, visit historicrugby.org or follow @HistoricRugby on Facebook and Instagram.