Staff
It was like the Oscars but with more spice.
Green’s Brand Source and TD Canada Trust were the award-winners at yesterday’s “Great Canadian Chili Cook-Off,” hosted by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.
“Top Gun Chili” (Green’s) won for People’s Choice while “Blazing Saddles TD Chili” dazzled some local celebrities’ taste-buds to earn the Judges’ Choice plaque.
With this year’s theme having been “Chiliwood,” nearly all of the teams got into the spirit of movie magic—either naming their chili as an homage to a movie and/or dressing up their booth with props and decorations.
Other teams serving up chili at the Legion yesterday included:
•Community Living Fort Frances and District (“Inclusive Chili”);
•Flint House (“Flint Fire House Steak Chili”);
•Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre (“GHAC Production Crew” Chili);
•M&M Food Market (“Forrest Gump’s Life Is Like A Bowl of Chili”);
•New Gold/Emo Inn (“Some Like It Hot” Chili); and
•United Native Friendship Centre (“Boulevard Chili”).
Organizers were thrilled with the turnout as the event drew about 200 people of all ages, including many families.
The cook-off started at 4:30 p.m. and by 6:30 p.m. had to start turning people away as the chili supply dwindled.
In addition to People’s Choice ballots filled out by those who bought a sampler platter, a panel of judges was called upon to score the various entries.
This year’s judges included Carl Scott (Carl’s Eatery & Pizzery), Gavin Payne (Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service), and Duane Hicks (Fort Frances Times).
The event also featured a cake roulette fundraiser for the Robert Moore School breakfast program, which saw all of their baked goodies go.
