The Usually Annual Northcrest Chili Cook-Off is back!
And YOU could be Northcrest’s next big HUNDREDAIRE.
NORTHCREST - Fall 2023 - Officials with the Northcrest Club volunteer board today announced they are taking entries for the organization’s 3rd—or maybe it’s 4th annual—chili cook-off, to be held at the Club October 14 beginning at 4 p.m. Current Club members are invited to submit their entries before October 8 when finalists will be announced. The grand prize winner will become Northcrest’s next hundredaire two times over, with a grand prize purse of $200 towards their membership’s annual club dues.
The current champion is Pleasant Shade’s own Jimmy Stacks, who took home the trophy, $200 off his membership and bragging rights in the fall of 2022. Or maybe it was before the pandemic. Club records are notoriously spotty these days due to the lack of volunteers.
“Becoming a hundredaire at the chili cook-off was really a game changer for our family,” said Stacks who is highly regarded as an expert not only for his chili, but for bringing the best sausage to tailgate parties and for maintaining an impressive cigar collection. “With the savings on our membership, we were able to essentially waive our maintenance fee and then some.”
CONTESTANT REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are required to bring all of their own equipment (propane stove or slow cooker on low, small table, and small shelter if needed) along with at least three gallons of a completed (fully cooked) chili dish to the club, ready for judging at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 14.
Each accepted applicant will be provided power if requested, sample cups, and other utensils to serve their chili to both judges and guests. Basic chili ingredients must be displayed at each serving station. Exact recipes are not required, but proteins (beef/chicken/pork/gator) must be specified, as well as any nut or shellfish products.
Applications are free, but limited spaces are available. Applicants must be current club members in good standing. A judging panel of current board members and select adult and youth members of the greater Northcrest community will vote on each entry in a blind taste test.
Judging will take place during the 4-5 p.m. happy hour and winners announced in the 5-6 p.m. hour. Tickets are $15 for all adults (guests welcome) and $7 for children 12 and under.
FOR ATTENDEES
In addition to chili from contestants, all tickets include access to a menu of hot dogs or veggie dogs, Vlaamse frites (fries), cheese sauce, beverages and a dessert. Adult beverages will be available to adults only and donations are encouraged. Volunteers can select from a limited number of FREE tickets in exchange for assistance setting up, serving at or cleaning up after the event. Tickets go on sale September 18 at northcrestclub.com.
4 PM - Chili Tasting and Happy Hour
5 PM - Votes Counted/Food Served
ANNUAL MEETING AND CAMPOREE
The event is preceded by the annual club meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. and followed by a camp out on site for members (and their accompanied guests only). Camp guests are asked to keep fires in the pit and prevent access for children. Participants should bring ukes, guitars, kazoos, etc. for campfire sing-alongs, but leave the powered music in the clubhouse. With children present, smoking is permitted in designated areas only. Camp must be broken and vacated by 12 p.m. Sunday.
###