Duane Hicks
As sure as the sight of falling leaves is a sign of fall, so is the smell of chili in the air.
And this autumn will be no different thanks to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Great Canadian Chili Cook-Off.”
The community event is slated for Thursday, Oct. 24 at the local Legion, and the Chamber is on the lookout for teams of chili chefs to spice things up.
Organizer Samantha Manty said this year’s theme is “Hocus Pocus.”
“We’re thinking not necessarily about Hallowe’en, but witches and magic and hocus pocus, abracadabra, that kind of thing,” she enthused.
Teams are urged to go all out with the theme, whether that means making their chili with “magic ingredients,” giving their chili an enchanting name, or, better yet, getting dressed up as wizards and the like.
“Get creative and have fun with it,” urged Manty.
“We’re going to be offering an award for best costume this year for the participants of the contest, as well, so hopefully it will get people to decorate their booths or do whatever they want,” she noted.
Manty said “the magic number” of participants seems to be 10-12 teams, but more teams “would be amazing.”
She added the Legion once again has agreed to let teams who need access to a commercial kitchen to prepare their chili using its kitchen the day before the event.
The cook-off will run from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.—or until the chili runs out.
Chili-lovers who attend the cook-off will be urged to bring along non-perishable food items for local food banks.
To provide further incentive, Manty said everyone who donates an item can enter a draw to win a $25 Chamber gift certificate.
Meanwhile, the always-popular cake roulette again will be run by the Robert Moore School Council, which will raise money for the breakfast program there.
To enter a team, or for more information about the cook-off, contact Manty at 274-5773 or via e-mail at info@fortfranceschamber.com
The 2012 chili cook-off was won by the local Kiwanis Club, with Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting garnering the People’s Choice award.
