Chili battle seeks cooks

The SCV Charity Chili Cook-Off is looking for cooks of all kinds to sign up for its upcoming seventh annual competition early next year.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. March 21, 2019, at The Oaks Club at Valencia. Admission for chili cookers will cost $125. Spots are available for up to 40 cooks, ranging from amateurs, business representatives, mothers, professionals or anyone who simply wants to cook chili, said cook-off founder Nicole Stinson.

Two competitions will decide the chili cook-off’s first, second and third place champions, people’s choice and judge’s choice.

Each year, the cook-off focuses on a particular charity, which Stinson and co-chair Steve Portraro pick.

“We choose an underdog charity, any new and upcoming charities that can’t get exposure and support,” Stinson said.

Next year’s cook-off will be fundraising for Shelter Hope Pet Shop and St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary/Lange Foundation. Both are nonprofit organizations dedicated to sheltering dogs and helping them get adopted. Past cook-offs have raised money for the WiSH Education Foundation and SRD Straightening Reins, among other charity programs.

The event was organized so that people who work and want to bring their families can do so in the early evening, Stinson said. Along with bringing families together, the cookoff will also be a good way to network, she added.

The event will feature a live band, a silent auction, a kid’s corner and chili cookers awaiting fresh and unique batches of chili.

“It’s really a great four hours, and it all goes to charity,” Stinson said.