This story kind of proves my point about the Canton Office of the New York State Department of Health doesn't it?
12th Annual Chili Cook-Off Benefits the Volunteer Transport Center
by Timothy W. Scee II
Special to Newzjunky.com
Published February 6, 2011
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Despite midwinter temperatures Saturday, thousands of chili fans made their way to the 12th annual North Country Chili Cook-off to raise money for a worthy cause.
Thirty-six vendors lined the first floor of the Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington St., as north country chili connoisseurs went booth to booth, sampling cups of the hearty, hot concoction being sold to benefit the Volunteer Transport Center
The cook-off, hosted by the Jefferson County American Legion Auxiliary, provides a much needed source of funding so veterans without their own methods of transportation are able to make it to necessary appointments, according to one organizer.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds go to transport veterans to medical appointments, who have no other way of getting there,” Linda J. Welsh, co-chair for the chili cook-off, said.
With amateur and professional categories of chili recipes, prepared by nonprofits, individuals and businesses, guests seemed to have no problem finding their favorites.
“The North Country Transitional Living one was good as well as, I would say, the mad scientist chili” Chad A. White, who attended the cook-off for the first time, said. “Myself, being an Independent voter, I hate to say it, but the Republican chili too was quite exceptional as well.”
Brian D. Peck, captain of the Jefferson County Young Republicans team, deemed the “Red Hot Republicans,” credited his wife, Maria, for cooking up gallons of the dish for the group’s second year at the event.
“Last year we had a lot of positive feedback. We were told we were good.” Peck, clad in a straw sombrero and Mexican attire, said. “We were better than the ‘Dems.’”
“Dynamic Donkeys” chef, Erica A. Leonard, however, said her Democratic chili is no match for her group’s Republican opponents.
“We had a lot of feedback that everybody loved our chili and they were coming back for more,” Leonoard, who was wearing a donkey hat, said.
Both political parties entered into the cook-off for the first time last year at the 11th annual event.
Those who may have had a sweet tooth or just wanted something for dessert after chili were also in luck, as Nephrology Associates of Watertown ran a bake sale to help transport patients of their own.
“We are a little different venue than just the chili. We are helping to defray costs for the transportation center that provides much needed rides for dialysis patients,” Ingrid M. Exford, who volunteered at the group’s booth, said.
Yet, with all the deliciousness available, the message of the cook-off was not forgotten.
“I think it’s a good reason for people to come out and support, as far as the troops, the local community,” White said.
As for attending the annual chili cook-off, White said it was his family’s first time and it won’t be the last.
Okay, this is Joe again. This story makes you wonder why organizations in our county are held to a different standard. Guess we should be calling our state politicians to see if we can start the sewage flowing down hill.
If anyone ever has had an extreme case of food poisoning, you can appreciate what the food inspectors are trying to prevent. The rules are going to have to change a bit but these events will continue. Anyone who watches the cook off shows on food channel or Discovery you notice all of the prepared food items are made from scratch on site. People will have to get up a little earlier and make their goods onsite and there will not be any problems. There may be less people competing or perhaps more. Time will tell. There is no easier way to get food poisoning than to put a pot of "whatever" in the fridge and reheat it the next day. With so many vendors, it's hard to guess where it came from if it does happen. I personally think it is a good idea to change the rules to better protect the public, but also would like to see an equal playing field throughout the state.
ReplyDeleteI already got in our chili cookoff with no ill effects. And even though all three judges were Republicans, my chili took 2nd and Murphy's was an also ran. As far as I know, nobody got sick from the chilis entered, although some of the hotter ones may have caused a little heartburn.
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