NATCHEZ — The smell of chili lingered throughout Broadway Street Saturday — all for a good cause.

The Rotary Club of Natchez hosted its fourth annual Rotary Broadway Bash Chili Cook-Off as a fundraiser for the Natchez Children’s Home Services.

Eighteen teams cooked chili on the bluff behind the Grand Hotel to see just who had the best chili in town.

But only one team walked away as the big winner.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office took the first-prize trophy for the “Judge’s Choice” category, with ACSO spokesperson Courtney Taylor at the helm of their success.

As the ACSO prepared for the cook-off, Taylor said the first thing they thought about was a fun theme to entertain their volunteers.

“This year’s theme was kind of ironic because it was based off of “Breaking Bad,” Taylor said.

“Breaking Bad” is a popular crime television drama, which follows a struggling chemistry teacher turned criminal.

Although the ACSO does not condone the actions of the main protagonist, the theme of the series went well with the groups theme and chili.

Volunteers with the local agency morphed their tent into a methamphetamine lab, but instead of cooking illegal substances, the team cooked chicken chili.

“In the show, they cover up for the illegal activities was a chicken restaurant, so we had chicken chili this year,” Taylor said. “That inspired the recipe.”

Cooking chili comes naturally to Taylor, mostly because she has penned several cookbooks in her day.

“This was based on my recipe for chicken enchiladas,” Taylor said.

ACSO auxiliary deputy and helicopter pilot Stephen Guido helped the law enforcers pull in the victory by bringing all of his equipment and assisting with the chili.

“He’s a natural cook,” Taylor said. “We couldn’t do it without him or the rest of our volunteers. He helps us cook every year.”

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said he and his officers participate in honor of the children’s home.

“The children’s home is the reason we do it,” Mayfield said. “We’ve gotten so much help from them throughout the years. We work so closely with the children’s home and the children’s advocacy center.”

Mayfield was grateful to area volunteers and their efforts to keep the cook-off going.

“It’s a lot of fun for us to be able to raise money for the children’s home, and have fun doing it,” Mayfield said.

Taylor said her best advice to any participating team is to make the event fun for everyone.

Miss-Lou residents walked around the grounds, tasting not only hot chili, but also home-brewed beer.

All proceeds went to support the children’s home, which executive director Nancy Hungerford said brings awareness to the home, and all the services it offers.

“It’s become an annual and much anticipated event,” Hungerford said. “It’s going to raise funds, and we continue to count on the community to help support what we do.”

Hungerford said she thinks events such as the cook-off are critical to the children’s home.

“Contributions to the home are important for us because not only are we able to continue what we are doing, but expand some services as well,” Hungerford said.

The Krewe of Phoenix took home the “People’s Choice” award and the award for “Best Decorated Booth.”