Chili Cook-off in need of cakes

The Times’ Great Chili Cook-off is fast approaching and the list of chefs is nearly finalized, but organizer Susan Martin is looking for people to make cakes and other baked goods for the “cake roulette.”
The cake roulette allows people to place loonie bets on various donated baked goods. Last year about 40 cakes were donated.
All proceeds from the cake roulette and chili sales go to local food banks.
Husband-and-wife team and first-time competitors Tim and Michelle Grynol are ready to impress the judges with their “Death Valley Chili.”
“It’s a hot recipe,” Tim Grynol said, adding that it’s also a family recipe.
“We think it’s good chili, and we wanted to help out a good cause,” he said.
Mike Gerstner of the Fort Frances Dental Centre is hoping to repeat his success of 1999, when he took home the People’s Choice Award.
The second time he entered, he was not so successful
“We’re making a few subtle changes,” to the second recipe, he said, hence the name “Novocaine Special 3.”
“The crowds have always been good. It’s a lot of fun for us,” he said of the annual event.
Gerstner said he’s working on the chili “in-between fishing,” but added “there’s no fish in the chili.”
He and co-chef Sherry Armstrong have not yet finalized the recipe, but are hoping to try it out on some volunteers before the cook-off.
“There’s a staff party this weekend. Maybe we’ll bring a batch and see who survives,” he laughed.
This year’s lineup of chili chefs includes:
•Tim and Michelle Grynol—“Death Valley Chili” (Riverside Health Care);
•Carol Barrell and Brenda Richardson—“Carol’s Canteena Thundering Chili” (Carol’s Canteen);
•Martin Dufresne—(Westend Weekly);
•Gus MacDonell—“Bull Market Chili” (IQON Financial);
•Rob Dokuchie and Greg Allan—(Fort Frances Rescue Service);
•Darryl Allan—“Mad Cow Chili: Udderly Delicious” (Town of Fort Frances);
•Gord McTaggart—(St. John’s Anglican Church);
•Brad Herbert and Kate Brant—(Substance Abuse Prevention); and
•Mike Gerstner and Sherry Armstrong—“Novocaine Special 3” (Fort Frances Dental Centre).
The Great Chili Cook-off will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the parking lot of the Fort Frances Times at 116 First Street East.