What do you get when you put together hundreds of pounds of kidney beans, ground beef, peppers, garlic, onions, tomatoes and tomato sauce with a few thousand people and simmer for about three hours? Well, the annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off in Anderson, of course.

For the eighth straight year, downtown Anderson from Market to Earle streets will feature restaurants from all over the Electric City and their chili concoctions for the public to try, judge and, most of all, enjoy.

Nearly a dozen participants will roll out their best chili recipes in an effort to be named the best chili in town. Spicy, veggie, white and traditional varieties will be sampled this Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. as more than 1,000 people swarm the streets to try each and every offering they have.

“This event is incredible,” said Jeff Morris, owner of Main Street Deli in Anderson and the first place winner of the Chili Cook-Off in 2007. “It’s my favorite downtown event and every year it gets bigger and bigger.”

Morris was scheduled to defend his title at this year’s Cook-Off, but unfortunately scheduled a catering for that same evening. He didn’t want to split his and his staff’s time between the two, so he was forced to bow out and wait until next year.

It nearly broke his heart to do it, he said, especially when they recently took the trophy out of his restaurant, but he knows this year’s contest will be as fiery as ever.

The second place chili from 2007 won’t be able to take part either, according to Lolly Wenzel, owner of Ooh La Lolly in downtown Anderson. Her reduced help and the amount of time and chili it takes to get through the Cook-Off forced her hand as well.

“We wanted to, but it took all day to cook and get it over there,” Wetzel said. “We just don’t have the people to pull it off.”

According to most participants, it takes between 30 and 40 gallons of chili to satisfy the demand of those three hours. With an admission cost of $4, many want to get their money’s worth and then some, so the restaurants are asked to make as much chili as possible.

Pete Landis, owner of the Corner Bagel Shop and Deli in Anderson, won the coveted People’s Choice Award for the shop’s unique white chili in 2007. He is planning on entering again because the marketing alone was worth the entry fee and cost of making all that chili.

“I would much rather do something like this and see the people I am serving than just about anything else,” Landis said. “It pays for itself and if you complete the event, they give you a refund of your entry fee.”

The work is tough. At the Uptown Lounge, cooks are still perfecting the recipe that garnered them third place in last year’s Chili Cook-Off. Owner Shane Dowler said he had a great time being out there and serving up something they aren’t exactly known for at the restaurant.

Other entrants include Grits and Groceries, Hooters of Anderson, The Sweetery, Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill and more.

Landis said he loves seeing how many people get excited to taste at the Cook-Off, but would like to see more restaurants participate.

“The number of participants last year was great, but I think there needs to be more,” Landis said. “It would be healthy for the Cook-Off and for the businesses taking part.”

Each year, the chilis are as different as the restaurants cooking them. Corner Bagel does a chicken-based white chili while others have provided a vegetarian variety. Of course, the majority stick to the tried and true ground beef, tomatoes, beans and peppers that define the word chili.

“We make ours the same way every year,” Morris said. “It’s too bad they won’t be able to taste it. But wait for next year.”

The Downtown Chili Cook-Off will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is $4 and includes a taste of every chili while supplies last. Prepare for the weather and long lines as there are many in attendance. Beer and wine will also be sold at the event.

For more information, call 864.231.2200.