Manchester Co-Op Preschool holding annual chili cook-off

A bowl of chili. Photo credit: cyclonebill/wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

by Sara Swanson

The Manchester Co-Op Preschool is holding their annual chili cook-off fundraiser on Saturday, December 13, at the River Raisin Distillery, located at 480 W Main St, from 5pm to 8pm. This event is adults only.

Stephanie Little, teacher and program administrator of the Co-op Preschool, explained how the chili cook-off works. She stated, “Individuals or businesses can enter their chili that is cooked at home prior to the event. Typically it is brought to the distillery in a Crock-Pot or roaster. Each cooker will serve a 4-ounce tasting to each attendee. They provide the toppings of their choice for the chili and we provide cups and silverware. It costs $25 to enter chili and the winner takes home the cash prize!” Email manchestercp123@gmail.com to enter the competition.

Attendees to the event get to participate in the judging! Chili tastings are at a recommended $1 donation per taste. Little stated, “Individuals vote by dropping their ticket into the jar located in front of their favorite chili. The tasting competition lasts from 5pm to 6pm and then we will announce the winners. People’s choice will win the wooden spoon that has been a tradition to bring back annually. The judges’ choice will receive the cash prize of $100!”

There will be a silent auction of items donated by businesses. The auction items will be on display and open for bidding from 5pm to 7pm. At 7pm they will announce their raffle winners. The raffle includes 50/50, a Yeti cooler filled with booze, and the Christmas Co-op Cash raffle winner (tickets sold prior to the event). After the raffle, the live auction will begin.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.