Rainier Youth Choirs served up a heap of beans and raised more than $1,100 during its annual fundraising dinner Oct. 22.

Nineteen cooks from throughout the South Puget Sound competed for prizes in the chili cook-off, followed by a free concert from RYC’s three youth choirs, which feature singers in grades four through college.

Winners in 10 categories received Tabasco® Sauce, RYC aprons and bragging rights. Diners sampled the entries with cornbread donated by H.D. Hotspurs in Kent and then voted for their favorites. Jose Pacheco, Gregg Lobdell and Sid Heinz helped judge the event.

“We had a good turnout,” said Shannon Hesketh, RYC’s executive director.

The dinner is the first of two fundraisers for the nonprofit group, which rehearses at Cedar Heights Middle School and performs at the Kent United Methodist Church. RYC also plans to hold a music marathon on April 15.

The choirs are affiliated with Rainier Choral Arts in Kent and are lead by director Leora Schwitters. RYC invites interested singers to attend a rehearsal or schedule an audition. More information is available on the group’s website: www.rainieryouthchoirs.org or by calling 253/347-0180.

“I’m very proud of the choirs tonight, and I think they gave our audience a clear idea as to why our 2011-2012 season is entitled, ‘Our Spirits Sing,'” Schwitters said.”We hope many who came for the first time will be back for more.”

For season tickets and other information, visit www.rainieryouthchoirs.org.