The City of Knoxville held their 15th annual Chili Contest Thursday afternoon at the Knoxville City Hall Community room. Five different pots of chili were featured, tasted and judged by city employees. Jerry Ayers from the City Maintenance Department took home first place and the prestigious Golden Ladle award. The contest was started in 2006 by Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada who was also the first winner. With Chief Losada set to retire this spring this year’s contest will be his last. Chief Losada tells KNIA/KRLS News he feels the contest has turned out pretty good over the years. He says he started the contest to help break up the winter blues and give people a reason to get together and he believes the contest has definitely done that. Chief Losada took home 2nd place this year with Paula Rankin from Knoxville Fire and Rescue coming in third.