The hottest gift of this holiday season might just be tickets to Chilifest. Like its sister event, Chowdafest, Chilifest is a party as much as it is a contest. Chefs from the area will have a chance to showcase their best recipes away from home and perhaps reach a different crowd of hungry foodies.
Chilifest is a pre-Super Bowl event that takes place on Feb. 1, 2015 at Bedford Middle School in Westport from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Just like Chowdafest, everyone is given a spoon, ballot and pencil, then samples 18 chili recipes to vote on their favorites.
Chilifest will feature three categories:
- classic beef
- creative chili (turkey, vegetarian, green etc.)
- “Firehouse” chili
Twelve local restaurants will compete in the classic and creative categories while firefighters from the Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton Fire Departments are slated to compete in a separate category for best firehouse chili.
Chowdafest director Jim Keenan at Chowdafest in Norwalk with friends from WEBE108. Credit: Leslie Yager
“We’re excited to find out which restaurant people believe has the best chili and equally thrilled to be holding a separate competition to determine what firehouse makes the best chili too” said Jim Keenan, event director.
“Fire departments are famous for their chili. Some of these fire fighters really know their way around the kitchen,” Keenan said.
The category is sponsored by Local Kitchen & Beer Bar of Norwalk and Fairfield to remind people to support their LOCAL fire department.
Some of the restaurants competing in the 2015 competition include: Bobby Q’s (Westport), Cask Republic (New Haven, Stamford), Chef’s Table (Fairfield), Chilibomb (Fairfield), Liquid Lunch (Milford, Shelton), Local Kitchen & Beer Bar (Fairfield, Norwalk), Naked Greens (Norwalk, Wilton), Simply Delicious (Norwalk), Little Pub (Ridgefield, Wilton and Greenwich), and Southport Brewing Co. (Branford, Milford, Southport). The roster of competitors will be finalized soon.
Tickets bought online are just $10 adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12. “At ten bucks, they make great stocking stuffers,” Keenan said. Tickets at the door will be $15. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.Come2Chilifest.com
Chilifest benefits the Turtle Shell Fund which seeks to promote the education of young people in art, music, theater, skilled craft and other creative pursuits in order to create a rich cultural heritage for tomorrow.
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Chilifest is proudly sponsored by Aitoro Appliances, Stop & Shop, Volvo of Westport, Local Kitchen & Beer Bar and WEBE 108.
For more information about Chilifest please visit www.Come2Chilifest.com, or email event chairperson, Jim Keenan, at [email protected]