By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - The competition is heating up as teachers in Mason Schools prepare for tonight's Great Chili Cookoff.

Tickets for the event are getting hotter every year. This year, for the first time, the fourth annual event has sold out in advance. Roughly 1,100 tickets, ranging from $4 to $6.50, were sold by Wednesday afternoon.

Diners will get to vote on their favorite chef, who wins the Golden Ladle and bragging rights for the year. The event will fill the commons at Mason High School, 6100 Mason-Montgomery Road.

"From what we've heard, the chili con carne has never lost," said Marylee Vennemeyer, a general music teacher at Western Row. "We're hoping it pulls through for us again." She's teaming up with her husband Jim, an elementary music and technology teacher, as well as bus driver Jan Winston for tonight's culinary competition.

Her team faces tough competition from her fellow educators - Elaine Santos, Micah Ewing, Jack Martin, Judi Cettel, Aaron Roberts, Shara Kreissl, Beth Eline, Katie Popplewell, Allen Young and David Stone - who will be dishing out white chicken, Cincinnati and black-bean chili.

"We did Cincinnati chili last year; but being artists, we felt we needed to do something a little different," said Ms. Cettel, a high school art teacher who's helping serve up white chicken chili. "In Cincinnati, people have a way they think chili should taste. ... This is for the daring, for those who are willing to try something new and different."

The art department also is making and selling chili bowls. Music and drama students will be providing entertainment.

Proceeds from the event go to the Fine Arts Council, which supports the district's performing and visual arts. Last year's event sold out at the door and $3,100 was raised.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com