Anticipation was tipping somewhere between five-alarm and blistering as the judges prepared for their decision to be announced.

Their jolly expressions surely belied the calculations behind their deliberations; the juggling of skill and craft and joie de vivre that goes into a worthy chili cook-off entry.

Their choice: Luvin' Chili.

A tough, tough decision, said judge Mike Sheneman.

"I was looking for taste, aroma, consistency, presentation," he said above the raucous applause, adding that more than 20 entries posed lots of possibilities. "It's the most we've ever had."

But whatever.

The hundreds who ventured out for bold tastes at Sunday's 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off at Coeur d'Alene Honda to benefit Children's Village, could make up their own minds.

Of the 26 entries, there was buffalo meat chili, vegan chili, white beaned with tequila, and a sweet and spicy chili with red and white wines.

Randy Sherman, an skillful chili maker on the sidelines on Sunday, was torn as he dug a spoon into a sample cup.

"It's like being at Arbor Crest, tasting wine," the Post Falls man chuckled.

Even without the comfort food, Sherman said, he would have come to support the nonprofit where friends have volunteered to keep kids on their feet.

"I've seen some of the stuff they've done with kids, especially older ones," he said. "It gives them a chance in life again."

The nonprofit, which provides a safe home for children in need, would be just as grateful for $200 raised as $2,000, said Development Director Janie Givas.

"The need is up for different reasons," she said. "For years, the nursery had kids from houses that were neglectful. Now we're seeing great families who just need some help."

All proceeds, Givas added, would directly support the 20 kids maxing capacity at the Children's Village facility, like providing diapers, food and clothes.

"We've also helped families in need who just need some help, with diapers and clothes," Givas said. "I love that part, because they're doing all they can."

Folks, meanwhile, meandered through the booths, discovering some chili that slipped down the throat sweet and easy, like a juicy pear. Others were sulphuric.

It all depended on the tastes and caprices of the gourmand behind each chunky concoction.

Bill Blattner's booth offered warning signs, one reading "Texas meat chili, for people who have total disregard for their stomach lining."

It all comes down to meat, the veteran cook-off entrant observed.

"That's why I tell everybody it's Western Texas sirloin," the Hayden Lake man said. "Truth be known, it comes from Costco. I have no idea what cow gave up its sirloin."

But Blattner is really in it for the banter as he doles out his specialty, he said, for the ribbing and the rigmarole that comes easy from chili-loving folk.

"I just love talking to people, reminiscing about old times," he said, prepping a ladle-full for a smiling couple.

Christy Jones scooped out her three-cheese, three-meat chili with the self assurance of a tested product.

"I have eight kids, and they all like it," she firmly promised her tasters. "And you know how kids are."

Between her booth and the one next door, manned by her mother, Cathy Wyer, their various chills have collected several cook-off trophies that lined the tables.

It's worth the hours of prep work, the $80 in groceries and the road trip from Sandpoint, she added, to bond with her bloodline.

"This is something we do as a family. We had a great time," Jones said, standing beside her husband Donald Cleveland, their son Cody seated in the back. "I wish everyone did something like this with their family."

William Carter and his wife Susan were beaming when their Luvin' Chili product took its victory.

There's a secret ingredient, William explained, aside from the obvious one.

"We put a lot of love in our Luvin' Chile," the Coeur d'Alene man said with a grin.

They really enter just to give back, he added, to hopefully improve the lives of children they haven't met.

But it doesn't hurt to claim the prize, a new cooking pot, that he already has plans for.

"Some more chili," William said with a chuckle.