On the second Sunday in October, something hot will be peppered along the streets of West Chester.
Chilly temperatures may remind people of pumpkins and cider, but it also signals another October tradition, the 9th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cook-off. The annual Cook-off, hosted by the Rotary Club of West Chester, is sponsored this year by Infiniti of West Chester. The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 9th.
Last year, over 70 area teams competed to make the best darn chili in West Chester. Over 5,000 attendees sampled the chili and voted for their favorites. This year, wristbands will go on sale at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event. All-You-Can-Eat Wristbands are $10. Copious amounts of chili will be served starting at noon and running until 3 p.m.
Attendees can spend the afternoon sampling unlimited amounts of chili and using wooden nickels to vote for their favorites. In addition to the chili tasting, vendors from local businesses, artists and organizations will showcase their work. Kids will be able to head over to the YMCA’s Kiddie Korral for face painting, games and a moon bounce.
“There is so much excitement on the streets during the cook-off! Everyone is having a good time, enjoying chili and strolling around beautiful downtown West Chester, ” said Rotarian Sue Casso.
The award ceremony starts at 3:30 p.m. and cash prizes are awarded to the winning teams. This year’s categories include: People’s Choice Awards, Restaurant Division Winner, Business Division Winner, Non-Profit Division Winner, Volunteer Organization Division Winner, Hometown Cook Division Winner and Best Decorated Theme Winner. Over 60 teams are expected to compete.
To promote this year’s chili-cook off, Stadium Grille is serving up crocks of chili based on recipes from last year’s winners. On September 9th and 10th, they are serving chili based on a recipe from the Knights of Columbus. On October 7th and 8th, they will serve chili from Anastasia Landscaping. Anyone who buys chili on these days will have 15 percent of their total check donated to the Chili Cook-off.
Stadium Grille president Bob Barley said, “We have always been involved in the Chili cook-off. It is a great community day that raises money for great causes. As a Rotarian, I wanted to find a creative way that would help promote the cook-off. Bill Roymaine (president, Brandywine Heating) and I came up with this idea to celebrate last year’s winners. We also hope this will spread out some of the fun everyone has on one day into several weekends. It is going to be fun to make their chili and let the winners come together and celebrate the big win. Stadium Grille has ‘the county’s biggest living room’ and we are happy to do our small part to celebrate such a great event.”
Want to be on the other side of the chili spoon this year? For those who would like to compete in making the best darn chili in West Chester, there is still time to enter. Applications for teams of non-profits, restaurants, businesses, neighborhood or volunteer organizations are due in by Thursday September 15th.
Proceeds go toward the Good Works of the Rotary Club of West Chester and many local charities. The Rotary Club motto is “Service Above Self” and the club is part of an international service organization. To learn more about the the 9th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cook-off, visit www.westchesterchilicookoff.com.
