For the past three years it has been Plymouth’s tradition to host the annual Chili Cook-Off. The Event Marketing class has put on this event in the spring each year. On Sat., Apr. 27th the Plymouth community, students, and faculty members gathered around Mary Lyon Green to taste some of the best chili and participate in fun activities.
The students working the event had a full day of non-stop work. Event Marketing student Mary Kroeger was glad to give the ins and outs of the much-anticipated event, “We began setting up everything around 7a.m. after we hauled supplies and decorations from Terri Dautcher’s house to the Mary Lyon green.”
Set up consisted of staking the perimeter, putting banners in place as well as the set up of chairs and tables for the chili itself. Besides chili, those who attended could purchase backed potatoes, drinks, chips, candy and popcorn.
Upon getting to the Chili Cook-Off everyone was handed a bag of beans that they were to place in a box at the tables of chili they liked the best. While many students were running around from table to table senior Casey Salvatore had time to comment, “Surprisingly this was the first time I have been to the Chili Cook-Off and I gotta say I regret not going before. I do think it could have gone on for a bit longer but it was fun and I was stuffed by the end of it.”
At the end of the day there were five winning teams separated into different categories. The Spicy category was won by Chris Weeks, while the sweetest chili award went to Amber Cook and McKenzie Burke. The category of heartiest was won by COBA, and Sodexo won for best business. Last but not least the best overall chili was won by Professor Paul Obrien.
After the winners were announced and the event was finished Kroeger stated, “It all came together in the end but it was a very stressful the week leading up to it. Even events that seem so simple have a lot of work put into them. Everyone in the class worked really hard and everyone who went seemed to have a good time.”
With good food and friends it is easy to have fun. While the event went very smoothly the Event Marketing class never forget why they were really there and that was raising money for a cause they care about. All proceedings from the Chili Cook-Off went to local foundation, The Bridge House. The event raised a total of $1,632 for the foundation and had a great time while doing so.
Enthusiastically Kroeger said, “I am really excited to give the Bridge House their check!”