Annual Michiana Chili Cook-off raises money for local food pantries
St. Joseph County --- Fall weather means it’s time to make and eat chili! Sunday was the 24th annual Michiana Chili Cook-off, where folks got to sample some of Michiana’s award-winning chilis, all while supporting a cause that is helping to feed the community and record high inflation.
Local chefs from restaurants and organizations across Michiana put their best chili forward and competed for the coveted cook-off trophy.
Fans of the fall-favorite dish got to try unlimited samples of eight varieties of chili, and then cast their vote for who they think makes Michiana’s best chili.
“We had Notre Dame, we had Ivy Tech, Fiddler’s Hearth came out, we had Bistro 933, we had other groups from Notre Dame who came out so we really had a nice variety of people and chilis as well,” says Chef April Howell from the Martin’s School of Cooking. “When you pay the $10 to come in, you got a ticket, and that’s like the golden ticket, because then you can actually put it in the bucket of your favorite chili.”
Not only did the $10 admission fee feed those who stopped by the cook-off, but it will also help to feed the hungry in our community.
“We actually all came together to do a benefit for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.,” Chef Howell says.
High inflation rates has led to high demand at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and a struggle to put food on the table for some families.
“It’s been a really rough year for them,” says Chef Howell says. “Just to help the community and feeding the community and everything that they need to do.”
It’s what led the winner of the Chili Cook-off, Levy at Notre Dame, to donate the cash prize of $250 back to the food bank!