Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Sepielli Annual Chili Cook-off 2018


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.




This year Larry Hobbs was first place winner and found out after the contest that his chili was made with a wild boar that he had killed. Who would have guessed that. Second place was Aubrey and Nick Nesbitt, and third place was Arlene Atkins. So much fun. All the chili’s were excellent. Thank you everyone for participating. Congrats to the winners!


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.

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