Fun Playing With Chili For Autism on April 21

Bob's Chili for Dinner, January 23, 2010

 

Well, not exactly.

Back in the winter of 2006, a participant on the Cleveland.com Food & Wine Forum suggested that we throw a chili cook-off. It had been a long, cold, lonely winter and Joel thought a chili cook-off was just the ticket to cheer and warm a bunch of food lovers who were braving a Cleveland winter. Another FWF participant, Chef Brian Doyle, suggested that the cook-off become a benefit for the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland. Brian has an autistic son, so the cause was dear to him.

Joel agreed to chair it, and an amazing team of volunteers began meeting at Great Lakes Brewing Company (which donated their Tasting Room for this purpose) to plan and promote the event. The Autism Society got involved, and before we knew it, our little group of volunteers had pulled off a fun-filled event, with great food and drink, entertainment, raffles, and of course, chili. Bob's chili (with my sides - the Tequila Infused Sour Cream among them) - won - First Place Amateur. But more important, we raised about $23,000 for the Autism Society, which provides education and resources for Cleveland-area families dealing with autism.

More specifically, ASGC's mission statement is:

“To serve the autism community by providing information, coordinating support services, and facilitating communication for the benefit of those with Autism Spectrum Disorders from diagnosis through adulthood.”

For this year's event, Wednesday April 21 from 6-9pm at the Terrace Club (Progressive Field), I have been invited to be a judge. I am very much looking forward to this new and different role. Won't you please stop by and enjoy some chili to help this worthy cause? All of the information is below:

The suggested donation is $20 per person. Among the local chefs participating are:

Ed Ripepi- Verso Casual Italian

Kris Kreiger- Chef Choice Meats

Chef John- The Peppermill

Linda and Randy Kelly- Westside Market Café

Eric Williams- Happy Dog/Momocho

Ken Kostal- Big Boppers

Shana- Treehuggers Café

Bubba Baker- Bubba’s Q BBQ

Charles Sanders- Embassy Suites

Tastebuds

George Soos- Laurel Run Cooking School

Lanny Chin- Naya Bistro

Louis Prpich- Chowder House

Ellis Cooley- AMP 150

Brandt Evans- Blue Canyon

Doug Fulton- R.J. Boland's

Jay Linder-Whiskey Run

Roger Thomas- Piatto Novo

Mavis Winkles

Bill Polewchak- 20 Mule Team Borracho

Pete Dressen- Inn Walden

Jeff Jarrett- North End Wine Bar

Justin Houmard-Sweet Pea Cafe

Vice "The Tantalizing Chef" Cuffaro

Joe Glass

Rudy Newman

Hope to see you there!