The competition was hot for the Thirteenth Annual Chardon Interact/Rotary Club Chili Cook-Off, literally and figuratively. There were some fierce competitors, as there have been for the past thirteen cook-offs. The cook-off took place on Friday November 1st, in the High School Cafeteria. Judging started at 4 PM so everyone’s bellies were full of delicious chili in time for the football game against Lakeside. Winners were announced during halftime for the entries in each of the four categories: Student, Adult, Commercial, and Educator. Everyone has an opportunity to participate in the chili cook-offs.
“This is a great way to raise money for a good cause, get everyone involved, and have fun doing it!” says senior Peyton Tatonetti.
For those of you who are unaware of what the chili cook-off is, it is an event in which any student or member of the community can enter a chili. Then it is judged by a panel that decides which chili deserves to win.
“Whichever one is the hottest will get my vote,” explained senior Chandler Ross. To watch the event and enjoy the many different types of chili, a donation must be made to a charity determined by the Chardon Interact Club.
“We usually raise anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 every year,” Mr. Brown, who is in charge of putting the whole cook-off together alongside the Interact Club, informed me.
I, myself, even participated for the first time this year. I regret not ever doing it before since it was a lot of fun and tasty of course!
This year’s proceeds went to the Wounded Warrior Project. A very important organization that can hit home with a lot of people. Their mission is to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, help injured service members assist each other, and provide direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. “Without these outside veterans organizations, such as the Wounded Warrior Project, soldiers such as myself would be very lost.” said John A. Fernandez, an injured veteran of the Iraq War in a testimony before Congress.
The chili cook-off is a great tradition and if you did not attend this year you should definitely plan to go in the years to come. It is a beloved event that will not be going away anytime soon!
“All I’ve got to say is you gotta get chili with it,” said John O’brien, senior Interact club member, “Chili and fundraising is the best combination since peanut butter and jelly.”