Chili Challenge
Area cooks show their skill at annual Brunswick Elks Lodge event
BRUNSWICK, N.Y. >> Chefs among the local community took the chance to show off their cooking skills on Sunday at the Brunswick Elks Lodge Chili Challenge.
The competition, now in its eighth year, is an annual wintertime fundraiser at which attendees taste different chilis and vote for their favorite, determining a Chili Challenge champion.
Sunday afternoon event-goers were able to try about eight different kinds of chili, including traditional recipes with beef and beans as well as much more unique flavors.
“I don’t make a traditional chili,” said Stephanie Silvernail of Brunswick, a past champion who took home the second place title on Sunday. This year she brought two: an autumn chicken and apple cider chili and a Bloody Mary chili.
For the fourth time, contestant Don McKay was named the Chili Challenge champion, this time for his traditional chili.
Returning participant Pam Greenberg cooked a creamy tequila lime jerk chicken chili this year. “I like to be different,” she said. “We’re going Carribean.”
First-time competitors Denise Swint of Grafton and her son Dyllon Thompson of Clif-
ton Park brought Dyllon’s Magic Chili, a spicy chili for those who like some heat. The recipe included extra hot salsa and hot sauce, with the option to add sour cream to cool it down, or jalapenos to spice it up even more.
“It’s for a good cause, they do a lot for the community,” Swint, who recently joined the Elks auxiliary, said on why they chose to participate. “We thought it would be fun to try our talents.”
The proceeds from the Chili Challenge go to the Brunswick Elks, which in involved with many charity initiatives around the community throughout the year.
Along with raising funds for club efforts, Chili Challenge organizer Paul Greenberg said the purpose of the event is “just trying to bring the community together for a fun Sunday afternoon.”
Information about other upcoming Brunswick Elks Lodge events is available online at www.facebook. com/BrunswickElks.