The Perfect Season for Chili
The Perfect Season for Chili
See your Rotary Club in action for cook-off competition
Photos / Ellicottville Rotary Club
With fall peeping around the corner on September 22nd, it’s time to pull out knee socks, cozy sweaters, corduroys, plaids, beanie caps, a calendar to schedule leaf color drives and your favorite chili recipe. I don’t happen to have one passed down through the generations, but I hear tell that many folk out there are pretty darned convinced that their great grandmother’s or their Aunt Effie’s is the best chili in the neighborhood, bar none.
The Rotary Club of Ellicottville invites chili makers from near or far to throw down the gauntlet and challenge rival chili makers to a duel of chili masters. Who will be judged the Best of Show on Saturday, September 28th? Here’s the deal. Chili makers will have tasting judges who will designate prizes for first, second and third place. Annnnd, Chili testers (any guest who pays $10 to taste all the chilis) will designate their choice with that very lucky chili master receiving the coveted “Best of Show” trophy. When the chili masters see this one-of-a-kind trophy designed by a local artist, they will covet it. Will you be the winner? Maybe you’ll take home the ribbon for first prize AND the Best of Show called the “Off the Wall” trophy!!! Wait until you see it!!! Hey, aim high! The winners will be announced at 6:00pm. Can you feel the excitement building? I can! Ahem, there is no rule against coercing the judges to love yours best! Get creative!
Everyone in our community and pop-in guests from across the region are invited to join us for an evening of food and fun at Madigan’s Restaurant Upstairs 4:00-7:00pm in Ellicottville. The leaf colors could be at peak, or darned close considering the colors in the hills already. So, a trip to Ellicottville for the entire day is like a double dip of good stuff happening. Fall colors and chili… What says fall more perfectly? Bonus: Our chili will be served with freshly baked corn bread generously supplied by the Ellicottville Bake Shop which distinguishes itself by sourcing produce and ingredients from local farms whenever possible. Want to taste? Again, get all the tastes you want for $10 and put your vote in for the Best of Show trophy!
Why are we doing this event? Rotary members (that includes this writer) believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our more than 45,000 clubs worldwide work together to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies and protect and preserve the environment. We also support local endeavors, such as the Inclusive Playground that is slowly taking shape in the Ellicottville Village Park. The project is in its infancy yet it is already on a roll. Five local moms have recognized the need for a modern, INCLUSIVE playground in the Village of Ellicottville and have banded together to initiate a playground for ALL kids to play on. The project, when completed, will probably cost in the range of 1.5 to 2 million dollars. These feisty young moms with infants and preschoolers are undaunted. They believe in the cause, themselves and the kindness and generosity of the people of Ellicottville and our supporters.
The Rotary Club of Ellicottville believes in this project. The chili cook-off will serve as our main Rotary fundraiser for the year. It’s going to be a win-win, with music by Tom Dietrick, an onsite basket raffle, 50/50, and an online auction for top shelf items. For example, we have a Sabres jersey signed by Rasmus Dahlin, a two-hour paint party for up to 4 people who corroborate to create one 36” x 28” x 1.5” artwork to share, a limited edition knife from John Burrell’s custom knife maker’s shop, Top Flight Early American Cutlery, and a round of golf and cart for four from Springville Country Club and Penn Hills Country Club, Cutco knife set, etc.
We are always grateful for any contribution for our basket raffle or top-shelf item for the online auction. If you feel the desire to donate or support Rotary for this event, reach out through our Facebook page, contact anyone you know in Rotary, or call or text our President, John Weismantel at 716-228-7288. You can also enter the chili contest using the same connections. Don’t miss this fun event this fall.
PS: Rotary Club of Ellicottville is always looking for generous spirited, like-minded individuals who are interested in joining our club and joining in our endeavors. As you can tell from this article, we have a lot of fun while making this world a better place. Join us! Stop in on the 28th and check us out!