It may have been chilly outside, but Saturday was one of the hottest days of the year at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown.

Hundreds of people came out to the 11th annual Chili Cookoff.

"We come every year," says Joseph Avola, who came to the cook off. "I like chili, my wife likes chili, and you get some of the best varieties here."

There were more than 30 varieties of chili, from the basic to the not-so-basic.

"They have kale and squash and zucchini," says chili chef Margaret Williams.

Money earned at the cook off went to the Volunteer Transportation Center, an organization that provides transportation for people in the North Country, who can't get around.

Even though the contest was for fun, it wasn't stopping chili chefs from feeling the heat of the competition.

"When it comes to chili, there's always competition," says Williams.

There were several different categories. Here's a list of the winners.

Professional Category:

1st Place- "The Pot Stirs" from The Ives Hill Retirement Community

2nd Place- Maggie's on the River

3rd Place- "Samaritan Patriots" from Samaritan Medical Center

Amateur Category:

1st Place- "Holy Habaneros" from Trinity Episcopal Church

2nd Place- "Chili Bistro" from The Winemaker

3rd Place- "Mad Scientist Chili" from BOCES

Vegetarian Category:

1st Place- "Mad Scientist Chili" from BOCES

2nd Place- "Sweet and Spicy" from North Country Children's Clinic

3rd Place- "White Chili Chicks" from JRC

Novelty Awards:

Best Dressed- Super Wal-Mart

Best Decorated- "Mad Scientist Chili" from BOCES

Most Unusual Receipt- "Sweet and Spicy" from North Country Children's Clinic

Most Congenial- Transitional Living Services

People's Choice- "Chili Bistro" from The Winemaker