Loading...On Friday, February 10, St. John's, Bellefonte, held its first Chili Cook-off - a community building and fundraising event.
The premise was simple: give the parish's chili cooks a chance to shine, and create a little friendly competition. Eight cooks signed up (including the rector), and nine chilis were made. The judging worked like this: each diner who came through the door was given a ballot, and was invited to walk around the parish hall to each chili station, where large quantities of tasting cups and spoons were available. Each chili was assigned a number. After tasting each one, the diner had a bowl of his or her favorite (or many bowls, as it was all-you-can-eat). On the way out, an upside-down biretta was by the door, into which completed ballots were to be placed.
At the end of the evening, over 60 meals had been served, and about $450 was raised. Guests from the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and UCC churches in Bellefonte came and ate. Once the ballots were counted, Vestry member Carol Fyfe was declared the winner, and was named Chili Queen 2012. A local shop provided the trophy.
Parishioners agreed that the cook-off was a good way to spend a cold Friday evening. Contestants are already eagerly anticipating next year's competition!
