Co-op Preschool Brings Back Chili Cookoff!

Photo of chili made from a previous Mens Club Chili Cook-off award-winning recipe.

The Manchester Co-op Preschool's biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual auction, is set for Saturday, April 30 at the Manchester Sportsman's Club. To expand its support from the community, this year's auction will be held in conjunction with a chili cook-off, which will begin at noon with chili ready to serve and taste by 5 pm.

The demise of the Men's Club Chili Cook-off a few years ago has left a void in the community's activities and was missed by cooks and attendees alike. In an effort to increase awareness of the preschool's fundraising, organizers decided to add a new element to the fun this year.

Tastes of chili will be $1 per bowl and each chili offering will be judged based on appearance, aroma, texture, heat preference, and flavor. And of course, cash prizes will be awarded to the Grand Prize and People's Choice winners.

"The auction has been the Co-op’s most important fundraiser for many years," said Shelby Chartrand, one of the preschool teachers. "To bring in community members outside the families and friends of Co-op students, we thought holding a Chili Cook-off would be fun and eventful!"

Chili cooks from around the community are invited and encouraged to participate in the cook-off. No participation in the auction is required for non-Co-op preschool families, but cooks and chili tasters alike may want to check out the live and silent auction offerings, many of which are not solely for families with young children.

"We do have some awesome auction items this year!" said Chartrand.

Proceeds from both the auction and the chili cook-off will support the preschool, which celebrated its 50th year in 2015.

Entry forms are available here: MCP Chili Cook off entry form 2016

For more information, please leave a message at any time by calling the Preschool at 734-428-1684

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.