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We’ve got a hot deal today that involves chili, family fun, and helping out local charities. $5 will get you a ticket to the 2012 New England Chili Classic which will take place right in downtown Manchester – a $2 discount off the regular price. Two days of fun and chili sampling are in store for this great fall event on the weekend of October 13-14 at Veteran’s Park. And all ticket holders will also receive a $10 discount card good at any T-BONES or Cactus Jack's locations!

The New England Chili Classic (NECC) is two-day competition between restaurants from all over New Hampshire and neighboring states vying for titles in five categories including best Red Chili, Vegetarian Chili, Most Creative Chili, People’s Choice, and the overall New England Chili Classic Champion. This year’s entrants include The Common Man, T-BONES, Cactus Jack's, Hanover Street Chophouse, Mountain View Grand, Three Chimneys Inn, Buckley’s Great Steaks with more great establishments being announced soon. The cook-off features public chili sampling on both days, live entertainment, a beer garden, vendor booths, a Kids' Zone, visits from well-known celebrity chefs and more. Well-known radio and television host, Billy Costa will be at the event on Sunday, and will be presenting the awards to winning restaurants/chefs. Billy Costa is a native of Cambridge, MA and is known for his TV Diner show which airs on NECN.

The New England Chili Classic will be an entertaining, family-friendly event that will showcase the very best that Manchester and New Hampshire have to offer. Each ticket provides the attendee with 5 sampling opportunities and admission into the entertainment area. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to local nonprofit organizations; more than $30,000 was raised for nonprofits over the last two years.

And if “hot and spicy” is not your preference, no worries. Most of the chilis are more flavor than fire. Spicy or mild, meat or veggie – the Chili Classic draws thousands who are hungry for a taste of the comfort combination of beans, tomatoes, onions, herbs, spices and so many more tasty ingredients! Check out the Chili Cookoff, Mr. Hot Sauce and Miss Chili Pepper contests, music, vendors and more!

Chili fans are passionate people who take the spicy dish quite seriously. The notorious outlaw Jesse James loved it so much that he refused to rob a bank in the town where his favorite chili parlor was located. Also in the 19th century, some Spanish priests, wary of the passion inspired by chile peppers and assuming they were aphrodisiacs, preached sermons against indulgence in a food which they said was almost as “hot as hell's brimstone” and “Soup of the Devil.” Despite these warnings, chili became one of the most popular foods in the United States and a piping hot bowl is cherished from time to time by everyone from paupers to presidents.

“Next to music there is nothing that lifts the spirits and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili.” - Henry James

“Chili is not so much food as a state of mind. Addictions to it are formed early in life and the victims never recover. On blue days in October, I get this passionate yearning for a bowl of chili, and I nearly lose my mind.” - Margaret Cousins