Butch and Pam Bisson of Pepperell serve samples of their prize-winning chili. (Courtesy photo by Worth Robbins)

For the second year in a row, Pam and Butch Bisson of Pepperell took top honors at the fourth annual Devens Charity Chili Cook-Off, held this past Sunday at Devens Common. On a beautiful afternoon, more than 500 enthusiastic judges sampled the chili of 16 contestants, before voting the Bissons first by a wide margin. Second place went to Brian Hanson from Ayer, teamed with Kevin Scott and Chris Chambers of Townsend. Other contestants came from Shirley, Worcester, Fitchburg, Groton, Littleton, Berlin, Westford, and Nashua.

According to Elaine Gailey, co-owner of The Devens Grill and the primary event sponsor, approximately $6,000 was raised to help children affected by autism, through the Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts.