NATCHEZ — Serving up hot chili is just the tip of the iceberg for Natchez native Ron Jinkins.

Jinkins, co-chair of the Krewe of Phoenix chili cook-off team, will team up with his fellow Mardi Gras crew Saturday during the fourth annual Rotary Broadway Bash Chili Cook-Off.

The Rotary Club of Natchez hosts the cook-off as a fundraiser for the Natchez Children’s Home Services, but the cook-off has been a part of Natchez for years, Jinkins said.

“Years before it was hosted by the Rotary, the cook-off had different sponsors,” Jinkins said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the cook-off for many years.”

Volunteering for the cook-off not only gives Jinkins the chance to be competitive among area teams, but help support a good cause.

“Anytime you’re supporting local children, you know that you’re doing something worth your time,” Jinkins said.

Jinkins said he finds a lot of enjoyment working among his Krewe of Phoenix team members during the cook-off.

“We not only cook for the people, but we cook for our crew,” Jinkins said.

Jinkins is motivated by his drive for competition, and said winning during a charitable event is not a bad thing.

“I consider it like touch football,” he said. “You’re having fun and supporting something worthwile, but at the same time you want to win.”

Jinkins is a full-time geologist, but does not allow his work schedule to get in the way of supporting the NCHS.

“We usually set up so fast that it’s become easy over the years,” Jinkins said. “I wouldn’t let anything get in the way of raising money for the children’s home.”

Things will get interesting for Jinkins as he teams up with the Krewe of Phoenix to go against the Adams County Sheriff Office, in which he serves as a reserved-deputy.

“The competition is going to be real good,” Jinkins said. “I’ll be plotting and playing against them.”

Although Jinkins loves competition, especially when it’s for a good cause, he also finds enjoyment in seeing old friends.

“I like to fellowship,” Jinkins said. “You get to see a lot of people in one day that you would not normally see.”

The chili cook-off will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the bluff across from the Natchez Grand Hotel.