At Dominion Payroll, we believe great workplaces are built on more than just processes and platforms, they’re built on people. And sometimes, the best way to bring people together is with a little friendly competition… and a lot of chili.
Last week, our Richmond office turned up the heat, literally, with our Annual Chili Cook Off, and it did not disappoint. Five brave chili champions stepped up to the stove, poured their hearts (and apparently some secret ingredients) into their entries, and let the people decide.
Before we get to the good stuff (the winners), let's take a second to appreciate what a fun little chili contest actually does for a team.
Employee engagement isn't just a buzzword that lives in HR presentations. It's the feeling you get when you genuinely enjoy the people you work with. It's the inside jokes, the friendly trash talk over whose chili is better, and the moments that remind you that work can be much more than work, it can be a community. Studies consistently show that engaged employees are more productive, more collaborative, and more likely to stick around. But more than the data, engaged employees are just happier, and that energy is contagious.
A Chili Cook Off might sound simple, but events like this do something powerful: they give people a reason to show up as their full selves, not just their job title. Whether you're a seasoned cook or someone who googled "easy chili recipe" the night before, everyone can have the opportunity to participate, contribute, or just bask in the ability to judge the taste of multiple chilis. That's the kind of culture we're proud to build at Dominion Payroll.
Our Richmond team brought the heat in person, while our remote employees and employees seated in other locations had the ability to join in on the fun, if they wished.
Here's how it all shook out, the competition brought the heat with three ways to win, giving every participant a chance to shine:
🏆 Overall Crowd Favorite
Awarded to the chili with the most votes overall.
🔥 Most Creative Chili
Unique ingredients, unexpected twists, or bold flavors that actually work.
😂 Best Chili Name / Theme
Fun, punny, or department-inspired names, judged on creativity, not taste!
From sweet-heat combinations to clever wordplay, the creativity on display was just as impressive as the flavors themselves.
"Something Sweet with a Touch of Heat" — Created by Erin Barry, Benefits Department
The name alone tells a story. Erin leaned into contrast, sweet meets spicy, and the result was something that genuinely surprised people in the best way possible. This wasn't your average game-day chili. It was a culinary plot twist, and the crowd was here for it.
"The Spice is Right" — Created by Ryan Tagg, Sales Department
Ryan came in with the wordplay locked and loaded, and honestly? We respect it. Naming your chili after a beloved game show is a power move, and the voters agreed. Whether the chili itself lived up to the name is a debate for another day, but the name? Undefeated.
"Something Sweet with a Touch of Heat" — Created by Erin Barry, Benefits Department
That's right, Erin swept the cook off, taking home both Most Creative AND the coveted Overall Crowd Favorite title. Two awards. One chili!
While Erin and Ryan now have bragging rights for the rest of the year until our 2027 Chili Cook Off, the real highlight was watching as our team made their way down to our Community Room and gathered together to try their coworkers different chilis. Discussing what they personally like in their chili, and their opinions on which crockpot held the winner.
That's what employee engagement looks like in action. It's not a policy or a program, it's a Wednesday afternoon where people bring their slow cookers to the office and everyone's gathered around a table, laughing and talking, and feeling like they're part of something.
A huge thank you to our Dominion Payroll team who cooked, tasted, voted, and made this event possible! We'll see if Erin and Ryan can keep their crowns in 2027 or if someone new will take their spot.