Who makes town's best chili? Cook-off set for Saturday

Who makes the best chili in Johnston?

Team Raging Through the Ages from St. Robert Bellarmine Church, which has enjoyed success in raising money for charities, will unveil that answer Saturday night following its annual Chili Cook-off Competition.

So, as chairpersons Terry Novak, Robin DaCosta and Craig Zarrella have been saying in recent weeks, Spice up your life with us at our sixth annual fundraising chili cook-off.

The annual competition, a night of fun and food that directly benefits charities, will be held this Saturday evening, March 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. inside the St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church at 1804 Atwood Ave. in Johnston.

Saturday night, though, isnt just about who makes the best chili.

Well have prizes, raffle and music, said DaCosta, who along with Novak and Zarrella have been mainstays for Team Raging Through the Ages since the group began its massive fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Societys Johnston Relay For Life. People can enter as an individual for a family.

The entry fee is just $10 per person or $25 per family. All proceeds, the chairpersons announced, will go to St. Robert Bellarmine Food Closet, which is known as one of the most generous volunteer organizations in the town of Johnston.

The chili cook-off is so well organized that all a participant has to do is make one large batch of chili.

We provide small portion cups for people to sample each chili, Zarrella explained. Huge batches [of chili] are not required.

Zarrella said each contestant should also provide his or her own crockpot, labeled with the entrants name, a small extension cord and a card or paper that lists the ingredients in a persons chili for allergy awareness purposes.

It is best if you transport your chili hot, either in a container or in your crockpot, DeCosta said. This way it will be warm for the start of the taste testing.

DeCosta also asked all contestants and participants to arrive at St. Robert Bellarmine between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday to register and to have all pots properly labeled for the blind taste that will be given a letter and an unbiased server for the evening. Organizers will provide cheese, sour cream and corn bread for all taste-testers. Water will also be available throughout the contest.

People planning to enter should be advised there will be three categories: vegetarian, traditional and specialty recipes.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the chili cook-off is that each and every attendee can help decide just who makes the best chili.

Your donation of just $10 entitles you to chili tasting and accompaniments along with entertainment, Novak said. What a bargain. Well also have soup, hot dogs and soft drinks available.

Novak, as well as DaCosta, Zarrella and all Team Raging Through the Ages volunteers, all say the chili cook-off will be a great night out.

And as Novak concluded, We invite you to join us for fantastic food, good fun, raffles, music and, above all, a great opportunity to keep the St. Robert Bellarmine Food Closets shelves well stocked.

People whod like to enter or have questions concerning Saturday nights chili cook-off should call either DaCosta at 439-0614 or Zarrella at 439-7166.