Mobile Meals Chili Cook-off!!!

If you are looking for something to help get you out of this weather slump, check out the Mobile Meals’ Great Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, March 23rd, at the Stranahan.

It runs from noon-4 p.m. but you'll probably need to get there by 3 p.m. if you want chili - some teams run out; plus the awards start then.

Admission is free and you can sample from 19 chili teams. There will be a DJ, concessions which include beer, pop, hot dogs and Toft's Ice Cream - an a classic car show outside (weather permitting).

You *vote* for your favorite chili with your dollars - making a contribution to their jar based upon your preference for 'the best.' Your donations will help determine the People's Choice winners while the judges will name the other winners.

If you like chili, you’ll love this event - and you'll help a terrific organization at the same time!

About Mobile Meals:

Mobile Meals of Toledo, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer-based social service agency that delivers nourishing food—at home and at school—to those whose nutritional needs might otherwise go unmet. We have been serving our community since 1967.

Our home-delivered Meals on Wheels Program serves over 1,200 clients annually. More than 500 volunteers deliver over 500,000 nutritious meals to homebound people who are elderly, ailing, or physically disabled every year. Packaged along with every meal is the dignity and independence that all people treasure. With their nutritional needs met, and with our concerned volunteers checking on their health and well-being daily, many of our clients can postpone—or eliminate altogether—the need for more extensive and expensive care arrangements.

The Weekender Meal Program provides food to children who would otherwise get inadequate nourishment over the weekend. Students who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches receive a bag of food every Friday afternoon. The bags contain kid-friendly snacks—all healthy items that require no refrigeration and are easily opened by children. Students get more to eat all weekend long so they can come to school Monday morning nourished and ready to learn.

Saturday: Mobile Meals Chili Cookoff

This Saturday marks the 18th Annual Great Chili Cookoff fundraiser for Mobile Meals from noon until 4 p.m. at Stranahan Great Hall on Heatherdowns.

While there will be concessions available, the main focus will be on the various chili entries in the amateur, corporate, media, restaurants and salsa categories - all of which will be available for tasting and voting.

Awards will be given for the People's Choice (based upon the voting by attendees), and the Judge's Choice. Awards will be announced at 3 p.m.

Additionally, there will be entertainment, chef demonstrations and the Black Swamp Cruisers' Classic Car Show.

All proceeds go to support the Mobile Meals Home Delivery program which provides over 600 meals each day to "enable the elderly, ill, disabled, homebound, the convalescing and all those who need assistance with diet and meal preparation to remain in their own homes and retain the dignity and independence they treasure."

My husband and I have been involved with Mobile Meals since 1993. It's a fantastic organization and I hope you'll support their efforts by attending this fun - and delicious - event!

Save the date - Mobile Meals Chili Cookoff

Mobile Meals of Toledo will host their 16th annual Great Chili Cookoff on Saturday, April 12, at the Stranahan Great Hall.

There will be competitions for corporate, amateur, media and restaurant. The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. with awards at 4 p.m.

Competition:
* Taste a variety of award-winning chili
* Vote for your favorites for the People's Choice Award
* A celebrity panel of judges will award the Judge's Choice
* Chili Corporate Team Competition - Noon-4 p.m.
* Chili Amateur Team Competition - Noon-4 p.m.
* Chili Media Team Competition - Noon-2 p.m.
* Restaurant Competition - Noon-4 p.m.
* Salsa Tasting from Area Companies

Entertainment consists of music, chef demonstrations and the Black Swamp Cruisers' Classic Car Show. There will be food and beverages available, including Toft's Ice Cream!

If you've got a killer chili recipe, you have until March 28 to enter, with registration forms available for all categories here. If you just want to taste while supporting a terrific cause, mark April 12th on your calendar.

This is a fun and delicious event with 100% of the proceeds going to support Mobile Meals' Home Delivery program. Hope to see you there!

Mobile Meals Chili Cookoff

Ummmm....chili....

Saturday was the annual Mobile Meals Chili Cookoff and my niece, Ashley, and I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful variety of tastes present at this event.

We methodically moved up and down the various aisles obtaining the small containers of chili and noting any uniqueness in presentation or special items. Many had cheese, sour cream and onions. A couple included small cornbread muffins...Nick & Jimmy's had bread with Texas butter.

We were impressed by Penta Vocational Schools' offerings...The seniors (pictured) did an Oriental Spicy Chili and the juniors called theirs "Ugly Duckling Chili." Even though they didn't end up as one of our favorites, they were very tasty and very unique.

Of our top three picks, we agreed on two. My niece loves the very spicy, but I don't, which is why WXKR 94.5's "Highway to Hell" chili ended up as her #2 choice. Our #3 choice was Mature Living Magazine, which we felt had an excellent consistency and a taste that everyone could enjoy. Ashley's #1 was my #3...The Toledo Zoo Catering's offering which was very different from all the others, we think because the chili was topped with sour cream and cilantro. The cilantro really added a uniqueness to the flavors and we both decided that the next time I make chili, we'll try that as a topping.

My #1 choice was Level 3 chili from the Toledo Neighborhood Block Watch. Their recipe was very traditional, not too spicy, and a bit thinner than some of the others, which made it perfect for adding sour cream, cheese and crackers. Additionally, they made Apple Crisp to help 'cleanse the pallet' and topped it with whipped cream. The Apple Crisp was loaded with pecans and was the perfect end to a long selection of chilis. Aside from their great chili, these Block Watch members were having a terrific time, and you couldn't help but smile and laugh as they plied their offerings...

Mobile Meals is a terrific organization that my husband and I have supported for a number of years. If you'd like more information about Mobile Meals, would like to volunteer to help or participate in this event or their Wine Gala (which will celebrate its 20th year this November), or would be willing to help individuals within our community maintain their independence by delivering meals, click here.