This year's United Way chili cook-off on campus raised much more than a hill of beans for charity.

The competition on October 14 was hot and spicy, as Chartwells Food Services' "Deep South Chili," Fanshawe hospitality students' "Burning Beef and Black Bean Chili" and the Fanshawe Student Union's "Devil's Last Meal" were tasted to determine the chili champion.

Joe Scalia, FSU president, was very pleased with this year's entries. "I liked them all. They all had their own unique flavours."

The chilies were judged by local celebrities Scalia; Dr. Howard Rundle, president of Fanshawe; Janice Zolf, entertainment editor for A News; Andrew Lockie, CEO of United Way of London and Middlesex and 2009/2010 National Chili Champion Mike Callaghan. The judges ultimately determined that Chartwells' entry was the top bean.

"(Their) presentation was great," said Scalia. "They just had some really unique flavours in there — a little bit of chipotle, a little bit of spicier stuff. I don't know my spices that well, but I can pick out chipotle."

Students, staff and guests were welcomed to spice up their day by buying some chili. Approximately 600 bowls of chili were served, and over $2,100 was raised for the United Way.

"The United Way funds a ton of different charities," explained Scalia. "A lot of our students go on co-ops and internships to the charities, so it's helping Fanshawe students as well."

The chili cook-off officially kicked off Fanshawe's United Way campaign. This year's campuswide goal is to raise $100,000 for the charity.