Calling all new and old chili chefs — it’s almost time for the 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off. Brought to you by the Rotary Club of West Chester, as well as various other sponsors, the Chili Cook-Off will be working to raise money for organizations in need. Last year, the Chili Cook-Off and the Rotary Club of West Chester raised $32,000 to award to non-profits throughout the area. The Rotary Club, being a non-profit organization itself, is often raising money to provide to others in need, whether the money goes towards winter coats for children or school supplies to the West Chester Area School District. Katie Martin of the Rotary Club, talked about her experience with the Chili Cook-Off.
“This is my sixth year working it,” she said. “For me, the enjoyment comes from all the people we can help because people’s lives are made better.”
This year, roughly 70 different teams will compete for first place. The chili recipes can be any type, as the judges have seen all sorts 
chili, from the traditional kind to the more extravagant wild game variety. I chatted with Nicholas Vecchio, account director for The WC Press, about why he loves judging these competitions.
“It’s really fun to blind taste-test the chili,” he expressed. “Because you don’t know who made the food, you’re strictly judging it for taste. It’s not biased that way.”
Nicholas also loves how well-organized the event is and the great turn-out it always provides. Thanks to sponsors like the Rotary Club of West Chester, this can always be an event that’s fun-filled, as well as food-filled.
“I love the Rotary Club,” Katie said, “because it’s just giving back and working with a group that have the same frame of mind, and people who want to do good.”
The only advice Katie would suggest would be to not play it too safe with the chili recipes.
“Some people are afraid to make their chili spicy because they’re afraid that people won’t vote for them,” she expressed. “So people need to add more heat and do something more to stand out.”
So basically, don’t be afraid to turn up the heat on October 8th.
