Competing For a Cause: Local Restaurant Hosts Chili Cook-Off for Non-Profit
The buzz of excitement and the aroma of chili filled Ole Savannah Southern Table and Bar in Kingston, N.Y. The sound of music playing and people laughing echoed through the high ceilings of the restaurant. Stations equipped with trays of chili and tasting cups bordered the room as guests paraded around, sampling different flavors and rating the best ones on their score card.
Sunday, Feb. 20th was a chilly day for a chili cook-off, with proceeds going to the Arc Mid-Hudson, a local not-for-profit agency that works with families to provide their disabled children with the same opportunities as other children.
“It’s a good time for a good cause,” said Lori McCabe, Senior Director of Communications and Development for the Arc Mid-Hudson.
Dave Amato, owner of Ole Savannah, had called McCabe a few weeks prior asking if she wanted to do a chili cook-off to raise money for AMH. Her answer was an immediate yes.
“It was so spur of the moment. We contacted as many restaurants as we could to see if they were interested,” said Kelly Wright, Events and Communications Manager of AMH.
Eleven restaurants in the Kingston N.Y. area donated chili for the cook-off. Each competed to be the best in categories such as “best traditional chili,” “best spicy chili,” “most creative chili” and “best vegetarian chili.”
As ideas snowballed over the last few weeks, what started as a chili cook-off to conclude the First Annual WinterFest ended up being a multi-activity event with much a bigger turnout than anticipated.
In addition to the chili, two celebrity bartenders from the area were making drinks at an ice bar outside the restaurant. All their tips would be donated to the AMH.
Donations continued through the event with family activities. Between carnival games and an ice-skating rink, any tips would be given to the AMH.
Jennifer Leale is the Chief Financial Officer of AMH and has been working with the organization for three years. The AMH works to get their name out there in any way they can, and the fabulous turn out of this event is a great way to do so. Leale was one of many volunteers handing out chili to guests.
There weren’t too many goals going into this event from any of the people involved. The focus was to put on a great event, have fun, and make whatever money was possible.
McCabe said AMH typically puts on seven annual events each year. The chili cook-off was a bonus eighth event for them this year.
With the success the chili cook-off showed this year, McCabe could definitely see this becoming an annual event. “Three restaurants have already reached out to us saying they want to be involved next year,” she said.
Amato has been wanting to do a WinterFest for years, deciding this was the year to make his idea a reality.
And what better way to get the community together for this event than with food and friends? Amato wanted to “bring the community together for a fun President’s Weekend [event to] raise money for a lot of local charities.”
