Noted chefs, local leaders to judge Saturday’s 10th annual Chili Cook-off, presented by Darrell Waltrip Automotive
The 10th annual Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off, presented by Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group, will be Saturday, Oct. 27, as part of the Heritage Foundation’s annual Pumpkinfest celebration.
The Chili Cook-off will feature 12 teams competing for bragging rights in the categories of Judges’ Choice, People’s Choice, and Best Booth Décor in a new area — Third Avenue South between Franklin City Hall and the Historic Courthouse.
Hugh and Janet Tharpe are serving as co-chairs of the event, which will be held from 11 a.m.-3p.m. Hot dogs, chips and drinks are also available inside the event for children and others. Tickets for the chili tasting tray are just $8 for 12, two-ounce samples of chili.
The list of judges for Saturday’s event is pretty impressive!
Here’s the list of judges: Mike Keith, Voice of the Tennessee Titans; Chef Chuck White, Cookbook author and private chef; Paul Knowles, Chief Administrative Officer, Franklin’s Sister City of Carleton Place, Ontario; Shane Charania, Owner, St. James Gate Irish Pub, Carleton Place, Ontario; Daisy King, Cookbook author and “Tennessee’s First Lady of Southern Cooking”; Amy Donovan, Fearless Homemaker food blogger; Leah Short, So How’s It Taste food blogger; John Schroer, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Transportation; Brian Irvin, Champion, 2012 Leiper’s Fork Chili Cook-off; Franklin Mayor Ken Moore; Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson; Wade Combs, Executive Chef, Embassy Suites Cool Springs; Franklin Chief of Police Dave Rahinsky; and Derby Jones, Publisher, Williamson Herald.
Winners will be announced at 3:15-3:30 p.m. in the Chili tent.
In 2011, more than 1,200 people were served trays featuring the two-ounce chili samples of each team. This year, 12 teams are competing, with both returning champions and newcomers to the feisty competition, although the field is wide open since 2011 champion Boxwood Bistro is not competing.
Teams firing up their chili pots are Merridee’s Breadbasket, New York Bagel Café & Deli, Bob Parks Realty/Burger Up!, Clark Shelton for McCreary’s/MedKinetics, Next Generation of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County, Zolo’s Italian Restaurant, Culver’s of Franklin, Franklin Firefighters Local 3758, Franklin City Club, The Daily Dish, Kimbro’s, and YOUR Williamson magazine.
Providing Platinum support for the event are Bob Parks Realty along with Bell Historic Franklin apartment community and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp. Additionally, Atmos Energy and First Farmers Bank are sponsors.
Bronze sponsors County Mayor Rogers Anderson; state Sen. Jack Johnson; state Rep. Charles Sargent; state Rep. Glen Casada; Kathie Moore, Crye-Leike Realtors; Alday Communications; The Frothy Monkey; Five Points Roofing; FirstState Bank; Brian & Lisa Beathard; 21st Judicial District Attorney Kim Helper; Brentwood Pediatrics; Judy A. Oxford, Attorney at Law; and The TMA Group.
In-kind sponsors include the Williamson Herald; Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon; O’More College of Design; and YOUR Williamson magazine.
For more information, call 794-0998.