Cooking chili is not just something you whip together for dinner. Cooking chili is not just about providing an entrée that is served at family gatherings or tailgating events. No, cooking chili is a calling.

In an effort to support a local charity, a local group has organized a chili cookoff to find out who in Alabama’s Black Belt has the best chili around.

Leadership Selma-Dallas County Class XVIII, in conjunction with the city of Selma and other sponsors, announced Tuesday the creation of the Alabama River Chili Cookoff, an annual downtown gathering that will launch its inaugural event Thursday, March 8.

The event, which will be held along Water Avenue from 5-8 p.m., will go to benefit a different local charity each year. This year’s event will go to help the Salvation Army.

“We feel this is going to be a tremendous event that will not only bring crowds to Selma’s downtown, but help out one of our community’s charitable organizations,” Class XVIII and event co-captain Christy Thomas said Tuesday. “We are really looking forward to it.”

The competition – and organizers use that term loosely – is open to anyone and groups are encouraged to put together a team to not only help a local charity but to have a great time.

“This event is a great, family-friendly way for the community to come together and help raise much-needed money for the Salvation Army, who provide so much to our community,” event co-captain Jessica Hope said. “I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to enjoying the evening on Water Avenue.”