The Geology Department hosted its 21st annual chili cook-off Monday with significant turnout. Students, faculty, staff and alumni were encouraged to attend, submit dishes and vote on numerous chili categories.
Geology professor Peter Riemersma has facilitated the geology chili cook-off since the beginning in 2005. As of 2026, there have been over 1,300 participants, 246 chili dishes submitted for competition, and about one ton or roughly 2,000 pounds of chili served since then. Results are decided by participant votes, in addition to an official vote from four University chefs in attendance.
For the first time in the cook-off’s history, more than 80 participants managed to eat the entirety of the six variations of chili offered. Despite this, there were still plenty of desserts, from dinosaur cakes to rock-themed cookie dough, as well as side submissions such as cornbread, to be enjoyed in the absence of popular chili dishes.
Reigning Best Student Chili Winner and geology senior, Andrew Neckermann, shared his experience as a four-time cook-off participant.
“You get a lot of the Geology Department, but I also see a lot of faces of people who aren’t from here, which is really good,” Neckermann said.
Neckermann went on to win “Best Overall Chili” for the second time after having won the award as a sophomore. This year’s “Best Student Chili” was awarded to Abraham Parsons, while the “Hottest Chili” was awarded to Riemersma. The “Most Popular Chili,” as well as “Best Vegetarian Chili,” were awarded to retired geology professor Ginny Peterson.
Student Megan Van Orsdel submitted to what may be the most competitive category, “Most Geological Chili,” which is scored based on how well each dish mirrors real geological landscapes.
“I was determined to win,” Van Orsdel said. “I went for the Most Geological Chili, so I put in all of those layers and made it stratified.”
Van Orsdel won the category and even invited a friend, Julia Toomey, showing anyone can get involved with the cook-off.
“I have no association with the Geology Department at all, except that they make really good chili and my roommate’s a geology minor,” Toomey said.
Van Orsdel expressed gratitude for the community that has built around the cook-off.
“I just really love the people here, they are all really nice,” said Van Orsdel. “People who love rocks tend to be kind humans. I would recommend it to (people who are) not even in geology.”
Toomey also brought a cake submission for the “Most Geological Dessert” category. The two students shared just how much this cook-off has brought them together not just as friends, but as competitors. They attended for the first time last year because they didn’t have anything else to do, but now they greatly anticipate it.
“We got hooked and we’ve been preparing for this ever since last year,” Van Orsdel said. “This is our Super Bowl, and we’ve been talking about it for weeks.”
The Most Geological Dessert was awarded to two students, Delaney Novach and Karen Fey, with “Best Dessert” going to student Mollie Strunk. The “Best Side Dish” was won by alum Jon Mull.
Details for the 22nd cook-off are still unknown, as Riemersma plans to retire this year. What is clear, however, is how much the GVSU community looks forward to the light and competitive spirit felt at the Geology Department’s chili cook-off.
