tchili.htm

Chili Cook'off returning Oct. 1 September 2011

by Staff Writer: Eliot Duke

Times photos | Eliot Duke Phil Griffin presents Denton's Bobbie and Brian Troutman with the 2010 Chili Cook-off trophy. The Chili Bandits edged out Barefoot Chili Peppers from Calvary United Church of Christ at First Presbyterian Church. Hospice of Davidson County finished third with Thomasville Rotary Club claiming the People's Choice Award. The annual Chili Cook-off raises money for four area food banks.

Thomasville's annual chili cook-off is returning to the Chair City for its sixth year in October and the bean-talking already is well under way.

The First Presbyterian Chili Cook-off will spice up Thomasville on Oct. 1 at 21 Randolph St. in what has become one of the more anticipated local events of the year. Teams from across the Piedmont put their best blends forward in hopes of capturing bragging rights as having the best chili around.

"I'm coming with a recipe that is right off the cuff," said Kevan Callicutt, manager of A Cleaner World. "This is not your grandmother's recipe from 50 years ago. I've got something that is brand new and it's going to be the best chili Thomasville has ever tasted."

Phil Griffin, chairman of First Presbyterian Church, started the cook-off in 2006 as a one-time deal and never envisioned the event growing into what it is today, especially after weather nearly ruined the first one.

"More and more people are coming all the time," Griffin said. "It's not an all day deal and is somewhere to come listen to nice music and have a nice lunch with some great chili."

All the proceeds from the day are donated to four local food banks - His Laboring Few Ministries, Fairgrove Family Resource Center (FFRC), Cooperative Community Ministry and St. Stephen Progressive Baptist Church. The event raised more than $3,600 last year and the need for food is even greater in 2011.

"Profits from the Chili Cookoff are critical for Fairgrove Family Resource Center's food pantry program," said Executive Director Terri Nelson. "Our shelves are completely bare. We literally don't have any food in the center. We fed 1,278 people in August and our food supply cannot keep up with the demand. We need all the help we can get right now. Things have never been as bad as they are now."

Dwayne Burchett, a two-time Grand Chili Pepper winner, who could not defend his title a year ago, returns for a chance to reclaim the title. Burchett said he makes his chili on sight the day of the event from scratch and is excited about returning to Thomasville.

"They do a real job with it every year," Burchett said. "It's for a good cause and if we're fortunate enough to win it again, that would be great. I've been told it's not going to be a shoe-in this year. I heard there are already some good entries and I better come with my game face on, which I do every year."

In addition to the chili, entertainment will be provided by Carolina Country Grass, a Thomasville band, and Greensboro's Ladies Auxiliary Blues Group. Hot dogs. cold drinks and baked goods will be available for purchase.

The cook-off will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. Teams that already have signed up include St. Stephen Progressive Baptist Church, His Laboring Few, 2 Sisters Restaurant, Monkeez Brew, Chili Chumps, Cleaner World Cleaners, Thomasville Rotary Club and Waffle House.

Each entry entitles the cook to prepare and enter one chili recipe and a team is required to bring at least two gallons of their blend. Teams are required to provide shelter, tables and chairs for their cooking area. There's no specific criteria for the type of chili and teams will not be required to cook from scratch on site. No electricity will be provided so teams will need to keep their chili hot and cooking conditions will be monitored by a judging committee. An overall and People's Choice winner will be named at the end of the event.

Registration is $20 and anyone interested in participating should call First Presbyterian church at 476-4110 or Griffin at 880-2019.

Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.

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