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
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!
