The 15th annual Chili Cook-off will be held by the Rotary Club of Forest Hills on April 14.
“This is our significant community event. It is a major fundraiser where we can give back to the community with an event intended to bring the community together,” said club treasurer Gail Evans-Potter, who leads the cook-off.
The Rotary clubs, nationally and internationally, have programs that provide clean water, fight disease, help save mothers and children, support education and protect the environment. With 1.4 million members known as Rotarians across 46,000 clubs worldwide, Rotary International welcomes participation from all.
“The Rotary of Forest Hills started in 1947 and currently has 27 members. We’ve been around a long time,” said Evans-Potter. “Initially, Rotary was all men; women weren’t allowed. Now the club has mostly men, but we have a nice show of women who have joined. The club has mostly business people finding a way to give back, retirees who have retired from their working life and nice, younger, working people.”
Rotaries are particularly common in smaller communities like Forest Hills.
“We are currently working towards doing larger projects that we can do together to increase the power of our clubs individually. The Forest Hills Club does many things, including sponsoring a flag raising on Memorial Day, giving vets lunches, throwing holiday parties for seniors at care centers, and giving out books to kids on community day events,” said Evans-Potter.
This year the Rotary Club of Forest Hills aims to raise $5,000 or more through the Chili Cook-off. Funds raised will support Woodland Hills School District’s $1,000 service scholarship for a graduating senior, as well as the Woodland Hills Foundation Backpacks of Hope project, which provides kids with a backpack and a meal over a long weekend.
Funds are also being raised for the Forest Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Police Department.
Some individuals bring a new chili recipe every year.
“This year 15 contestants will make the chili, serve and promote the chili — and hope they win,” said Evans-Potter.
There will be several chili recipes: chicken with bacon, white bean bacon, pork, steak, vegan, bacon, soy, all veggies and anything you never thought could be chili, Evans-Potter said.
Celebrity guest judges are WQED-TV’s Chris Fennimore and Rick Sebak. The first-place prize for the best meat chili and best overall chili is $300. The last category, for the best-decorated booth, will receive a trophy. There is also a People’s Choice Award — each ticket holder has one vote.
Forest Hills businesses are asked to donate products and services to help make the cook-off a success. There will be gift baskets, a raffle and a 50/50 drawing. The most popular raffle every year is a Barrel of Cheers, which features wine and other alcoholic beverages.
The Police Department will sell beverages to help raise money. The Late Bloomers Garden Club will decorate the Ardmore Boulevard median strip and have a bake sale to help fund their organization. Music will be provided by DJ Jared Evans and Radical Trivia.
The Chili Cook-off will take place on Sunday, April 14th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Keane Hall at St. Maurice Church, 2001 Ardmore Blvd. in Forest Hills. Entrance tickets can be bought at the entrance and cost $10 for adults and are complimentary for kids under 10 years old. To get more details, reach out to Linda Harbeson at 661-435-1780 or [email protected].
