If you like chili, Amherstburg was the place to be last weekend.
There were four chili-themed events last weekend, the first of which was last Friday night at the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission. President Tim McAllister served up his award-winning chili in both spicy, mild and vegetarian varieties as a fundraiser for the mission.
Tables were filled at the mission and it was a good sight to see for McAllister and his volunteer board members.
“I’m very excited about the turnout,” said McAllister. “They love the chili and the volunteers really helped out. Everyone stepped up to the plate and made my job easy.”
“It’s pretty busy,” said board member Jill Kanwischer. “It’s what we were hoping for. We are pleased with the support.”
Kanwischer said the community always steps up to support the mission.
“People are always looking to support the mission. Everyone has been so supportive this year,” she said. “It’s nice to see. This community never fails us.”
One of the bigger fundraiser the mission has is several months away, with the golf tournament planned for Aug. 16 at Dominion Golf Club in LaSalle.
The Pat Mayea Memorial Chili Cookoff was Saturday afternoon at the River Canard K of C Hall. Proceeds went back into the Columbian Club with a total of 16 entrants being first having their chili sampled by a panel of three judges with a “people’s choice” award also presented.
“We decided we wanted to have something Saturday afternoon for members and guests,” said Terry Burns, one of the organizers.
Burns and his wife Georgina entered their own chili as well. People didn’t have to be members to join, he added, as anyone could enter their chili if they heard about the cookoff.
“It’s free to the public. It’s a combination of people in the area who entered,” said Burns, also a LaSalle town councillor. “Whoever heard about it submitted.”
About 100 people usually attend the River Canard event, mainly from Amherstburg and LaSalle.
The Fort Malden Chapter #268 Order of the Eastern Star held its third annual chili cookoff Saturday night at the Masonic Lodge on Murray St.
“The proceeds go to the Bryerswood Youth Camp run by the Optimists on Texas Road,” said Dave Cozens, a Mason who helped organize the event.
Two of the judges were from Bryerswood – Ian Phillips and Ralph Poupard – while CTV Windsor's Michelle Maluske also judged. Six local chefs entered their chili this year.
Cozens estimated they had about 70 people in attendance.
“It's more than we expected,” said Cozens. “We're very pleased with the turnout and love the fact it's helping out Bryerswood.”
The third annual “Chili Fest” was held Sunday afternoon at Wolfhead Distillery. Director of marketing and events Danielle Moldovan said eight local businesses took part in creating chili for the 500 people that attended.
“They have to cook over an open flame,” she explained.
Border City Barbecue helped co-ordinate who would be in the chili cookoff and the top prize was $500 and bragging rights.
Moldovan said Wolfhead had worked with Border City Barbecue in the past and decided to try something in the winter months, so they developed “Chili Fest.” It attracts people from Windsor-Essex County but also as far as London and Michigan.
“I think people like being out in the cold,” she said, adding some are reminded of camping when eating food cooked over an open fire.
Moldovan added they have held it in January and in March, and have now tried February.
“We're trying to find the sweet spot,” she said.
Chili-filled weekend recently held in and around Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu
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