Associated Press - October 12, 2009 10:05 AM ET

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A 52-year-old Illinois real estate agent has won the world championship cookoff of the International Chili Society in Charleston, West Virginia -- the first time the competition has been held east of the Mississippi.

Maureen Barrett of Willow Springs, Illinois, outcooked more than 160 competitors yesterday to win the 43rd World's Championship Chili Cookoff.

The 3-day contest saw thousands of chili lovers.

Barrett won $25,000 for her bowl of traditional red chili.

She says an "extra tweak of jalapeno" might have swayed the judges looking for a perfect blend of meat and spices.

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