2nd Chili Showdown Hits USA

More than 50 teams competed at the second annual Gumbo/Chili Showdown benefiting the Regan Robinson Young Scholarship Fund Saturday afternoon.

“We came to have a good time and raise money for a good cause,” a member of the Department of Medicine team said.

A large portion of the teams and attendees were associated with the medical field.

Others were student organizations and local businesses like Newk’s, Regions Bank, and the Original Oyster House.

“I love South Alabama,” Perry Hatcher, member of the Newk’s team, said. “I like that [the Gumbo/Chili Showdown] is smaller and more grass roots than the Chili Cookoff.”

The event has grown 25 percent since last year, its inaugural year, according to Event Coordinator John Meriwether.

“We’ve set up something that’s going to be a tradition,” Meriwether said. “The next thing to do is make sure this is a lasting event.”

Volunteers arrived at USA’s Jaguar Track next to the Mitchell Center as early as 5 a.m. and did not leave until around 6 p.m.

Aside from chili and gumbo, there was a moon bounce and blow-up slide for the children and live music to further entertain the large crowd.

Local band The Curtis Jaywalkers volunteered to take the stage during the showdown, according to guitarist Ryan Mininger.

“It’s good to see a lot of people,” Mininger said. “It’s only their second year, and it seems like they’re doing really well.”

All proceeds from the Gumbo/Chili Showdown go to the Regan Robinson Young scholarship program. The scholarship is named after a student that passed away from colon cancer while in medical school.

The scholarship, which was awarded to Jamie Caudill this year, is for assisting a senior medical student that exemplifies Regan’s spirit and character, according to Paul Taylor, College of Medicine associate director of Public Relations.