Logo belongs to the Adel Chamber

An inaugural event is happening in the Adel community that will see first responders go head-to head in a competition.

The first ever “It’s Still A Little Bit Chili Cook-Off” will be held this afternoon at the Great White Buffalo Public House between the Adel Police Department and the Adel Fire Department. Great White Buffalo Co-Owner Jessica Lecocq shares that the business just opened in mid-February and that so far, the Adel community has been super welcoming. She, along with her husband and other owner David, brainstormed an idea of how they could repay Adel for their hospitality.

“We knew going into this that we wanted to make sure that we were also giving back to the community, and this was like one of David’s first thoughts was like the fire department and the police department obviously serve the community. And so, that was like on his heart or his mind, like we want to make sure that we do something for them.”

Jessica outlines that the competition will feature Adel Police Chief Wade Book going against Adel Fire Chief Braden Nemechek. She notes that David will also cook chili as well, and that people are able to watch for free and is a free-will donation, which will allow them to eat as much chili as they please. Jessica says that the money will be equally distributed between the two departments.

Book tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the police department plans to put the money towards a charitable organization called Blue Kindness, which is a way for law enforcement to form relationships with Adel residents. He mentions that the partnership has made it possible for the police department to fund special guest speakers for the Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School District, provide warm winter clothing to elementary students, and issue ice cream tickets to residents.

The event will be held at the Great White Buffalo Public House, 815 Main Street, in Adel from 2-4pm for anyone 21 years or older.