Chili Cook-off
Start. Establish a date certain by early January. Perhaps the last Saturday in February
when a warm bowl of chili is enticing on a cold, dark, dreary winter evening.
Location. The Parish Hall in the church basement is convenient but may prove too small
in the future. Probably should try it until the event proves so popular that a larger venue
is required. The Clifton Town Hall is a good alternative. See the St Patty’s Day Dinner
Dance Process for details on reserving that facility.
Responsibilities.
Marketing includes Church Bulletin articles. Initial article might be submitted in
early January, a ‘Mark Your Calendar’ type announcement so the Cook-off is known well
in advance. Bulletin articles are submitted on Monday for the following weekend. Pastor
must approve articles as well as any flyers to be included in the bulletin. Attached flyer
was used in the past. Probably include flyers in the bulletin 3 and 2 weeks in advance.
Hawla stuffed the bulletin with the flyers in the past. Get copies to her by noon on
Thursday. Confirm with Hawla the number of bulletins/flyers required.
Contestants include those who wish to bring their favorite pot of chili to compete.
INSIST that anyone who wishes to be a contestant announce that to the Chili Cook-off
Chairman in advance so that the number of contestants is known in advance. Perhaps
make that a point in early bulletin articles.
Set Up is straight forward. The Parish Hall has tables and chairs. Must gain
access by getting a key from the GK, DGK or Treasurer. Note, need key to the Council
storeroom as well. In addition to tables for people to sit at, need tables for the contestants
to set up their chili pots, two to three contestants per table. Set up is accomplished just
before or during the vigil Mass. Contestants may want to bring their chili pots before
Mass so there must be some one there to receive them and to stay during Mass because
some of the chili may be warming, either in electric croc pots or on the stove in the
kitchen. With each pot/location there should be a small pile of bowls, a cup of spoons, a
small pile of napkins, and a cup used to judge the entry. See Judging below.
Grace. Try to determine in advance if the Pastor will attend. If so try to delay
starting the contest until he leads all in saying grace. If he comes in late, confirm with
him if he wishes to stop in place to say grace.
Beverage include sodas, water, coffee, tea; no alcoholic beverages at a Church
function. Remember to include regular coca cola as an option. Others like low cal, no
caffeine, decaf coffee, tea, real sugar, etc. Need one or more coolers with ice. Chili
makes one thirsty so need to have lots of beverages; water bottles are popular, also juice
for the kids.
Supplies include all products that are not consumed, e.g., plates, tablecloths,
warmer/aluminum pans, hot water, sterno, matches, bowls, utensils, napkins, beverage
cups for beverages not in cans/bottles, coffee cups, cream, creamer, sugar, sweetner,
stirrers. Need lots of bowls and spoons. If there are ten contestants and thirty attendees,
and each attendee wants to sample each contestants’ chili with a clear bowl, you need 300
bowls/spoons! Most contestants bring their own warming devise, e.g., croc pot, but need
to be prepared for the one that doesn’t. Be prepared to have several extension chords;
perhaps with multiple receptacles with surge protectors. Some contestants may forget to
bring a serving spoon so need to have a few available.
Other consumables include crackers, grated cheese, sour cream and corn bread.
Some contestants may bring these options; not all did the last time. Should have enough
to put some on each table. Too crowded to put these accouterments with each
contestant’s chili bowl.
Deserts are optional but always appreciated. Last year the LOSC brought deserts
and we had a separate table for that. Need small plates and forks if you include deserts.
Awards were presented to the top three entrants last time. A plaque was
purchased by John Rulison for 1st prize. He also made certificates for second and third
prizes, and a participation certificate for all other entrants. Because we did not know in
advance how many contestants there were, we had too few certificates. Again INSIST
on knowing entrants in advance.
Judging can be difficult. Last year we used a score sheet, attached, but that
proved cumbersome. One option is to issue each person attending a poker chip, or a coin
of some nature. The token is then deposited in a cup at the entrants’ station that the
attendee deems to be the best entrant. The winner is the one with the largest number of
tokens; second is the second largest number, etc. Alternatively, each attendee may be
given three tokens to deposit in the cups of their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Still, the greatest
number of tokens wins, etc.
Donations are an option. Certainly the main course is the volunteer chili but other
materiel has a cost, beverages, napkins, tablecloths, etc. The Council may see fit to
simply absorb those costs or, alternatively suggest a donation of $5 to $10 for those
attending you did not bring a chili pot. See last year’s flyer.
Clean Up is particularly important if there is to be CCD classes in the Parish Hall
the following day.