Talented Cooks Wanted for Chili Contest

HUDSON – Hudson Valley Bounty is looking for blue-ribbon cooks. Kitchen warriors who can stir up a batch of prize winning chili as easily as making a taco.  With seasoning as the secret ingredient, the organization is seeking nuanced chili – the stuff that legends are made of. Mouth-watering, heart pounding, savory chili that would make Pancho Villa weep with joy. But, chili so varied that it would make Julia Child and Alice Waters equally proud.

Entrants are invited to bring 5 gallons of their best to the fifth annual Chili Contest scheduled to take place on October 9th at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. There is a $10.00 entry fee (to deter no-shows) and each cook must bring his or her own crock pot or sterno. Electrical cords and power strips, a tablecloth and ladle or spoon for service are also required. 

The festivities begin at noon when the public can enter the Chili Tent for a $5.00 admission fee. With tasting cups and plastic forks firmly in hand, visitors go from table to table, chili to chili, sampling and savoring as they go. Last year’s entries included meat chili, vegetarian chili and chili with coffee as its secret ingredient.  Some cooks brought sides of corn bread. Others offered up chopped onions and extra “heat” in Tabasco jars.

It’s a People’s Choice Award – with trophies, too. Judging is done in a unique and fun way. Each entrant to the tent gets a dried pinto bean along with admission.  And in front of each crock pot is a numbered mason jar. At 3:30, when awards are announced, the mason jar with the most beans is the winner. First prize receives $300, second gets $200 and third takes home $100. 

Adding to this year’s festivities will be a $100 prize for Best Table Decoration.  Since some cooks may object to being distracted from their main goal, decorating is not required. But it is hoped that many will include some extravagant designs to augment their sizzling entries. The rules say “Be creative!”

Held each year on Columbus Day Weekend and scheduled to coincide with ArtsWalk, Bounty is hoping for one of those perfect fall days with a little crispness in the air, sunshine and a gentle breeze. Tasting chili can be hard work and a cool temperature will make for perfect savoring. So will the country rock sounds of Thunder Ridge, a band who will perform throughout the afternoon. There will also be entertainment for the kids so the day can be family friendly.

But the primary focus is on chili. Hot chili. Smokin’ chili. Chili that will satisfy south of the Border cravings. Rattlesnake chili, seafood chili, chocolate chili, habanera chili, crispy chitlin’ chili – all family secret recipes are in demand. Download the application.

Sponsors for this year’s Chili Contest include Ginsberg’s Foods, A. Colarusso & Son, Columbia Tractor, Register Star/The Daily Mail and Valley Energy.