MAPS Chili Cookoff

The MAPS Chili Cook-Off is an annual competition between student teams to make the best chili, and it’s set to take place on October 12 from 2-4pm on Mary Lyon Lawn. Usually scheduled during the spring semester, the event coincides with Marketing Week this year. Stelios Eleftheriou, the organization’s director of fundraising, said they are doing it at a different time this year, “To try to capitalize on what the event can do for the week and how we can benefit it.” The competition incentivizes students to participate with the prize of free T-shirts from Statement, the on-campus T-shirt printing and embroidery service.

MAPS stands for Marketing Association of Plymouth State. The Chili Cook-Off raises money for MAPS through a $5 fee for anyone who wants to compete. Anyone who wishes to merely spectate can enter to do so with a minimum one-dollar donation. For the cook-off event, even some downtown businesses have been contacted, “For donations and if they want to compete,” said Eleftheriou, “So far, we’ve heard from Café Monte Alto. We’re going to check in with the rest of them this week so it’s looking good. We have about a dozen teams signed up at the moment.” 

There are also some rules for competing, which were posted on the MAPS Facebook page. All participants should include a list of all their chili’s ingredients for allergy purposes. Competitors are encouraged to make 3-5 gallons of chili, though crock-pots are not recommended since it will be difficult to provide electric connection on Mary Lyon Lawn. They are also invited to come up with a creative name for their chili dishes. Prizes are offered for the best-decorated table as well. 

For anyone of age, there is going to be a beer tent at the event. “The new brewery opening up downtown is providing a keg for the event,” Eleftheriou said, “There’s going to be merchandise, and we’re going to be selling stickers and handing some out to competitors.” 

Any general questions or questions about the event can be directed to Stelios Eleftheriou at se1016@plymouth.edu.