Taste of Folly adds cash prize to Chili Cook-off pot
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
At last year’s Taste of Folly, cold winds and rainy weather made for a great day for a steaming, hot bowl of chili. It was no surprise that the chili cook-off table was one of the most popular places to be that blustery Saturday in January. Hopefully this year the weather will be nicer, but that doesn’t mean that the eighth annual Taste of Folly Chili Cook-off will be any less popular. Sponsored by The Folly Current, the Chili Cook-off is one of several fundraising elements to the Taste of Folly. Always a crowd pleaser, folks line up to try and vote on their various styles of chili, ranging from traditional to chicken verde, to anything in between.
Last year Patrick Hickey, owner of Gourmet Bay Catering, took home the prize for Top Chili while yours truly was the runner up (see recipe below). This year organizers are limiting entries to amateur contestants, so no restaurant or catering professionals. However, defending champion Hickey is being invited back this year as a judge. There will be three judges with the “people’s” vote counting as a fourth judge and serving as tiebreaker if necessary.
Also new this year, there is a $100 cash prize in addition to the prestigious chili bowl trophy.
To register for the eighth annual Taste of Folly Chili Cook-off, email Lindsey at info@follycurrent.com.
Rules and Information
1. All entries must be brought to the festival in a crock-pot with a spoon or ladle. No serving utensils will be provided.
2. All entries must be at the Chili Cook–Off Table (between E. Erie and E. Hudson in front of Avocet) by 11:45 a.m.
3. Upon arrival, check in and get a voting jar.
4. Two-ounce tasting cups, plastic spoons and napkins will be provided so festival goers can vote for their favorite. Please remain with your chili to answer questions.
5. At 12 p.m. a panel of three judges will taste the chili for 1st and 2nd place awards.
6. Festival goers can purchase a token for $5 to vote on their favorite chili. The “people’s” vote will count as the fourth judge (and tiebreaker, if necessary),
7. Judging will end at 2 p.m. The votes will be tallied and winners announced at the award ceremony on the Main Stage at 4:30 p.m.
8. All leftover chili, crock-pots, and utensils need to be cleared by 3 p.m.
9. Festival organizers will settle any dispute.
To Register for the Chili Cookoff, email Lindsey at info@follycurrent.com
