As the weather cools down, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chili to bring family and friends together. This time of year means it’s officially chili season—and that means cook-off time too! Whether you’re stirring up a pot for your family, tailgating at a game, or entering a local competition, everyone has their own secret recipe.

Here are a few tried-and-true tips to help you make the perfect pot of chili:

Hunters and community members from across the region gathered on Saturday for a hands-on deer processing class hosted at Johnson’s Deer Processing & Taxidermy, at 520 W Mountain View Road in Corryton. The class was led by Tyler Johnson, who provided a live demonstration and detailed instruction on how to properly and safely field dress a deer.

The annual Pie and Cake Contest at the UC Heritage Festival was a huge hit this year, drawing an impressive 27 delicious entries from local bakers eager to show off their culinary talents. The sweet aroma of pies and cakes filled the air as judges sampled everything from fruit-filled creations to rich chocolate delights.

In the Pie Contest, Kathy Venturella took home the title of Grand Champion Pie and a $100 prize with her show-stopping Lemon Meringue Pie.

The Union County Jr. High 4-H team recently competed in the Eastern Region Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Skill-A-Thon, held in McMinn County. This hands-on contest gives youth the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in areas such as food and nutrition, child development, clothing and textiles and housing, and interior design. Participants rotate through a series of skill stations where they solve real-world problems and apply what they have learned.

Union County bakers have one last chance to enter the Cake and Pie Contests at the 2025 Union County Heritage Festival. Entries will be accepted at the Union County Extension Office on Thursday, October 2, from 4 to 5 p.m., and Friday, October 3, from 8 to 11 a.m. Judging will take place Friday at 12:30 p.m.

The Union County Extension Office will host a free Deer Processing Class on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson’s Deer Processing, 520 W Mountain View Rd, Corryton, TN 37721. The class is presented by Union County Extension’s Family and Consumer Science Agent with several guest presenters.

Farmers and cattle producers in East Tennessee will soon have the opportunity to take part in the Fall 2025 Master Beef Producer Program, offered through UT/TSU Extension Union County.

The program provides research-based education designed to help cattle producers improve herd health, management practices, and profitability. Completion of the program will fulfill the educational requirements for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP), which allows producers to apply for cost-share funding to improve their operations through Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

The Cake & Pie Contests are back at the Union County Heritage Festival—Friday, October 3rd! This sweet tradition is serving up $500 in prize money for the best bakers in Union County.

Prizes:

Grand Champion (Cake & Pie): $100 each

1st Place in Each Category: $50 each

Cake Categories: Layered • Sheet • Bundt
Pie Categories: Fruit • Cream • Nut/Other

Entry Drop-Off: Thursday, Oct. 2 | 4–5 PM and Friday, Oct. 3 | 8–11 AM at the Union County Extension Office

Judging begins Friday, Oct. 3 at 12:30 PM.

Union County bakers, it’s time to preheat the ovens—the Cake and Pie Contests are back for the 2025 Union County Heritage Festival. This much-loved tradition brings together the community’s best bakers while raising funds to support the Union County Family & Community Education (FCE) Club.

The contests are free to enter and open to all ages. Entries must be completely homemade, with no store-bought mixes, frostings, crusts, or fillings allowed. Each entry should be accompanied by a recipe card and completed registration form.

Union County Family and Community Education (FCE) members enjoyed a full month of activities in September, beginning with FCE Day at the Tennessee Valley Fair on Tuesday, September 9, in Knoxville.