HEUVELTON — L.E.A.’S Diner, 90 State St., will participate in the Volunteer Transportation Center’s 22nd Annual North Country Chili Cook-Off, which is in a new format this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As first announced in December, the cook-off – typically held as a one-day event at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown on the first Saturday of February – will instead be held at participating restaurants in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties throughout the month of February. The move was made in an effort to host the event in a way that would follow New York State mandates and adhere to CDC guidelines.

The North Country Chili Cook-Off — just for this year — will focus only on the “Professional” category and be held at participating restaurants throughout Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties, said Mr. Papineau. The event will follow a “pub crawl” format, where those wishing to sample and vote on their favorite entries may do so at participating restaurants.

The cook-off is a fundraiser to help the VTC transport veterans and their families.

This year’s cook-off will run from Monday, Feb. 1, through Sunday, Feb. 28. Hours of each location will be available on the cook-off page of the VTC website, www.volunteertransportationcenter.org/chili-cook-off. Those wanting to cast votes will be able to do so in person by paper ballot or online through the VTC website. The entry with the most votes will get a special plaque denoting them winner of the special edition People’s Choice Award.

In addition, participating restaurants will be able to win a Top Fundraiser Award by collecting donations for the Volunteer Transportation Center. The participating team with the highest amount raised will receive this special recognition.