The Chamber of Commerce’s annual Souper Bowl event, a competition amongst the shoreline’s best chili, chowder, and soup entrants, is set to kick off at noon on Saturday, Feb. 25 in downtown. The competition is already heating up as the cooks have been refining recipes and secret sauces for this annual tradition since 2015.

According to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Call, attendees will receive a stainless steel spoon and a ballot when they register at the event. The competition includes both a soup/chowder and chili division, and entrants are encouraged to bring their best game as area cooks bring their best for this event.

“This is such a great community event. You get to know more about businesses and civic organizations. It’s a chance to meet and talk with people you wouldn’t normally come into contact with. It is such a great day to come and leisurely walk downtown and see downtown. It’s a very joyful event. People wander around, and they’re excited to see all the restaurants and all the competitors,” said Call. “There’s some really fun to see how people engage the crowds when they come.”

According to Call, all are welcome to enter as long as the food is prepared in a commercial kitchen. Health department regulations require this protocol for sanitary reasons.

“There’s plenty of commercial kitchens in the area. The churches have them, the American Legions, the Masonic lodge, so there are lots of locations for anyone wishing to enter and who needs access to a commercial kitchen,” said Cali.

A friendly rivalry between Madison’s two fire companies will undoubtedly take center stage as Madison Hose Company No. 1 and the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company go head to head with their chili entries.

Madison Hose Company 1 member Mike Selmani said the event is a great way for the town’s fire volunteers to let off some steam and have a stress-free off-duty day.

“We always go into an event thinking you’re going to win first place; it’s just the way that we do it. As far as the rivalry, it’s actually a lot of fun,” said Selmani. “We’re volunteer firefighters. We don’t get paid for this. We spend long hours away from our families, our kids. So you look for something to keep your spirits up and having fun with something. That’s when things like this event come in. My favorite part of this chili competition is the Friday before because we have 10 guys down at the 0firehouse and every single person has their role. One guy’s cutting onions, one guy’s roasting peppers, one guy’s stirring the meat, another guy is measuring out our ingredients. And we are doing that together. It’s one of the few times of year where we can do something where nobody’s in danger, nobody’s getting hurt or getting injured. It’s just us hanging out. It helps secure our bond for when we have those stressful times.”

North Madison Volunteer Fire Company Fire Chief Mike Penders said the rivalry between the two fire companies is a fun way to

“There is a very friendly rivalry between the two of them and is actually a lot of fun. It’s great to have a spirited back-and-forth with Madison Hose. It’s all fun, and there’s really a lot of camaraderie, and it’s all done in good humor,” said Penders. “Both of our recipes are quite different. Of course, I think ours is the best, but I think it makes the competition better because they are so different.”

Penders added, “Our town is really a four-season town. Madison is known as a beach community, but there is a lot that goes on all year. There’s more that happens than just between the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. We love when people come in and experience downtown and see all of the great businesses. It’s a great family event, and this is a great way to support our local businesses and restaurants. It really is a fun event.”

Registration to participate in the competition will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 1. According to Call, most participants prepare from eight to 10 gallons of their respective entry. Attendees can purchase tickets the day of the event at the Chamber’s contest station in front of Café Allegre, but Cali recommends purchasing tickets in advance from the Chamber.

Madison Chamber’s Souper Bowl VII will take place Saturday, Feb. 25, from noon to 2:30 p.m. in downtown Madison. The rain date is Sunday, Feb. 26. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. For more information, contact the COC at; madisonctchamber@gmail.com/ or 203-245-7394.