“The best of times are always found when friends and family
gather round.”
Anonymous
Joe
and I have organized a chili cook-off every year since 2004 and it is
something that we really enjoy doing. It is a great reason to brings
friends together for the day. We always wait to till the weather
gets chilly making it the perfect time for this cook-off. We
usually have to wait till November and this year was no exception
with as hot as it was this summer, we thought we may have to wait
till January. Today is the day of the Sepielli Annual Chili Cook-off
and there is anticipation and excitement in the air. The day is
perfect with the sun shining and just the right chill in the air.
How perfect since yesterday was a very stormy rainy day.
We
prepared the area for the cook-off all day yesterday with the help
our daughter, Jeannine. She was a huge help and I couldn’t have
done it without her. We moved that tables into place and they are all
set up now with table clothes and mini chili plants on each table. We
are now able to relax and wait with anticipation for all our guests
and their chili’s to arrive. We have the party in our a huge
carport where we set the tables up, a patio heater in place, and a
couple long tables to put the chili’s on to sample.
The
people start arriving with crock pots in hand and we show them where
to plug them in and give them a sticker so they can choose a number
to put on their pot. After they number their chili, they plug them
in, and start relaxing and visiting. The smell of chili is in the
air. Yum. No campaigning is allowed as the crock pots are supposed
to be anonymous. Also we tell the people who are coming, if you do
not make a chili, please bring a side dish so we had plenty of great
sides in the house to munch on and great desserts including the best
pumpkin roll.
Our
home is all decorated for fall and the chili cook-off to put everyone
in the season. The winners prizes are set out on the prize table.
We give a first, second, and third prize. We charge everyone
bringing a chili $10 to enter the contest, and depending on how many
chili’s there are depends on how much money the winner will bring
home. All the money gets put in the envelope for the first prize.
If there are 10 chili’s, the prize will be $100, a first place
ribbon, and a bottle of hot sauce. Second prize is a movie for two
and $10 concession coupon, second place ribbon, and a bottle of hot
sauce. Third prize this year is a whole set of hot sauces and a
third place ribbon.
This
year there were eight pots chili’s and choosing a favorite one was
a tough decision. They were all great. We did have one other chili
that was a late arrival that was very good but didn’t make it in
the contest. Each year is different as far as how many chili’s are
entered. We have had as many as twenty-one chili’s and as few as
three. The year we had three no one brought sides either so by
around 8 o’clock we were all starving and ordered a bunch of
pizza’s. Every party we’ve had has been a blast and doesn’t
matter how many chili’s there are. What matters is that we have
this special time with our friends and family.
I
walked around with my little helper, and collected votes. Then I
counted them up and wrote down who was first, second, and third
place. First place is the one with the most votes. Then I calculate
who has the next most votes for second and third place. We do not
do any other votes but you could do hottest, most unique, or any
other category, but we keep it simple.
After
the announcement of winners, we have a fire pit to sit near to warm
up. We cooked Smores for the kids and enjoyed the great fire. The
Gluwein and hot chocolate by the fire was amazing and worked to heat
you up from the inside. We did a sing along and then told stories
with lots of laughing and enjoying the night by the glow of the fire.
The event was a success and we all enjoyed it. Till next years
event.
No comments:
Post a Comment