It was Sunday, March 3rd. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the chili was cooking at The Renegade Winery for Pocono Arts Council’s first Chili Cook-off Fundraiser!
After November’s Mac and Cheese Bake-off we had a lot of eager chefs who wanted a chance to show off their skills. What could we do but create another foodie fundraiser for the arts?
At the suggestion of our friends at The Renegade Winery we settled on chili – perfect for the lingering winter temperatures of March in the Poconos.
We had a full line-up of chefs with incredible chilis that broke the mold. Just get a load of the line-up:
- Mac’s Polish Kielbasa Chili – Chef Maciej Andrejczyn
- MA’s Chili – Chef Mark Arnao, Butter (The Frogtown Inn)
- Traditional Chili – Chef Jodi Bohdal, The Little Rock Café (Pocono Rocks)
- Hokulani Chili – Chef Tomas Kasperkevic
- Chef J’s Gourmet Chili – Chef Joshua McRae
- ZESTY ZEN CHILI BY CulinLARRY – Chef Lawrence Patterson
- White Chicken Chili – Chef Sue Randall
- Chili Italiano – Chef Arielle Sekula
- Pepper Magic – Tania Smith from Square Fare
- Chili in the Pot – Chef Sarah Wilson
The first hungry attendees line up to get their plates filled with delicious chili!
Chili lovers were buying tickets to the very end. Finally, at 2pm our emcee and good friend, Jack Swersie, announced the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place winners based on votes cast by attendees. Each went home with their respective wooden spoons – and the first-place chef also took home The Golden Ladle!
Third Place Chili Chef, Sarah Wilson made Chili in the Pot
Second Place Chili Chef, Lawrence Patterson made Zesty Zen Chili
First Place Chili Chef, Maciej Andrejczyn made Mac’s Polish Kielbasa Chili
We’d like to thank our friends at The Renegade Winery for hosting – we’re grateful to have such supportive neighbors that don’t mind our shenanigans and worried text messages.
Our volunteers are (of course) the best. Thanks to Mark, Andrew, and Bob – you made the event even more fun and kept things moving when needed. Thanks to our Board Members who attended and volunteered: Rachel, Julie, and Virginia. Becky our incredible administrative assistant, kept the line moving without breaking a sweat! And, of course, thanks to Jack Swersie for bringing some style and humor to the party as he always does!
All in all, not a bad day for a first-time chili cook-off. A big thank you to all of our incredible chefs and friends for making this such a chill(i) event!
With gratitude,
Darice