It wasn’t like the first 20 plus years of the Chili Cook-off when our club put on the Chili Cook-off in the Borough of West Chester, with up to 10,000 attendees from near and far, 45 to 50 costumed chili teams, lots of vendors, a kid’s zone (masterfully handled by Christine Wildauer), and eventually a “Pepper Drop.” But we have been at the cook-off since two years ago when we turned the cook-off over to the non-profit, Fiorenzo’s Food For Friends (F4).However, 18 Rotarians, as well as seven family members and friends (Phi McFadden brought his children again!) turned out to man our booths, handing out “Founder’s Chili,” in our food booth, and giving out handouts and selling merchandise in our information booth. John Schwab served as “Chili King” this year and made sure everything was decorated and ready for the crowds of chili lovers.
A change this year was that we purchased our chili from Landhope Farms instead of making it ourselves. However, Bob Rogers and Joe Driscoll were among those who stirred the large batches to keep it warm and fluid. Although our chili was not homemade by Rotarians, and not eligible to be judged along with the other chili teams, someone nominated us and our chili came in second place in the non-profit division! When we reported that to the management and staff at Landhope, they were thrilled!
This year, Jeff Cantwell, who has had an integral position in the cook-off for the past number of years, had a chance to stroll through the cook-off with his wife, Sue, and sample about 15 different chilis – yu
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