The Mathews Rotary Club is taking on the responsibility of managing the seventh annual Chili Cook-Off.
“We realized that the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad was not going to be able to continue this great event, so we asked them if we could take over for them and still provide some funds to Operation AED,” said Chili Cook-Off Committee Chairman Bill Stearns. “They agreed; so Mathews Rotary is in full swing to revive this fun community fundraiser on Super Bowl Saturday, February 12th, 2022.”
The establishment of the Chili Cook-Off came about when MVRS realized that Mathews needed more outside AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) which would be available 24/7 and spread throughout the entire county. However, with limited funds for such a project, Operation AED was created in 2014 and the Chili Cook-Off was the fundraiser selected. Since Operation AED began, MVRS, churches and businesses have placed 22 outside AEDs in Mathews County.
The way the Chili Cook-Off works is that a number of civic-minded organizations compete for two prizes while raising money for their organization to help others in our community. The top prizes are the Judge’s Award and the People’s Choice Award. The former is awarded by local chefs headed by Betty Wrenn Day and the latter is selected by the participants who attend and vote for their favorite chili. Winners are rewarded with cash prizes.
This February, the competing organizations will be the Piankatank Ruritan Club, Gwynn’s Island Civic League, Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, Mathews Historical Museum, Kingston Episcopal Parish and the Mathews Rotary Club. Each organization has tickets to sell to the public.
Each ticket is $15 which allows participants to taste all the chilis, vote on their favorite one and then feast on as much chili as they want, as well as cornbread, desserts, water and soft drinks. Beer and wine can be purchased on-site as well. The event which draws hundreds of chili lovers is held from 4:30 to 7 o’clock on the night before the Super Bowl at the Piankatank Ruritan Building on Route 198 in Hudgins.
For more information, visit www.mathewsrotaryclub.org.