11th Annual Local Ingredient Chili Challenge will Help Food Bank

This weekend could be the perfect weekend to practice your local ingredient chili recipe. Why? Because next Saturday it returns to New Paltz, the 11th Annual Local Ingredient Chili Challenge. Next Saturday January 26th Water Street Market will smell delicious as it welcomes local chili cookers to take the challenge in the courtyard. Do you have a favorite chili that you could make with all local ingredients? If so be part of the fun, If not just come down to enjoy great chili.

You have to make at least 5 gallons so that there is plenty to sample. And you could walk away with bragging right having won Best Chili in one of the Challenge categories. Will you be crowned Best Home Chef? Or maybe Best Vegetarian. There are are categories for Best Professional, Most Creative and People's Choice. The Local Ingredient Chili Challenge benefits Family of New Paltz. In years past it has raised as much as $3000 dollars for the charity.

The public can sample chili for 1 taste for a dollar, 12 taste tickets for $10 or $25 tickets for $20. Remember it's for charity so buy more than you need it all helps a great group.

If you want to participate in the challenge you still have time. Your recipe must have at least 5 local ingredients. Local is consider inside a 90 mile radius. You can have more than 5 and that is encouraged. Kid chefs are welcome. To find out more and register to be a Chili Challenge competitor contact Theresa Fall at terryfall@gmail.com

The chili challenge also needs volunteers for set up and clean up. If you can make it come down and lend a hand it will be yummy good fun.