Event coordinator Jim Keenan is ramping up the annual Chilifest by adding a new item to the competition’s menu—mac ‘n cheese.
Still set as a pre-Super Bowl event scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7, at Westport’s Bedford Middle School, the MacChilifest competition will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We’ve added some new heat to the chili competition with several new restaurants in the competition this year,” said Keenan, who also directs the annual fall Chowdafest that draws thousands.
“I’m equally excited about having a mac ‘n cheese division as these entries are sophisticated,” he added. “Mac ‘n cheese has become the trendy playground for chefs to showcase their culinary creativity. It’s definitely not the blue box mac we grew up with. Kids of all ages will love this new addition to Chilifest.”
So confident is Keenan about how his new brainchild will be received, he is pitching tickets, available online at http://www.MacChilifest.org or at the door, $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through 16, as holiday gifts.
According to Keenan, everyone who participates is given a spoon, ballot and pencil, “then enjoy unlimited sampling of 20 different kinds of chilis and mac ‘n cheese entries from 18 restaurants as well as local fire departments.”
“Their votes will determine the winner in the classic beef chili category, the creative chili category and the new mac ‘n cheese category,” he said.
Among the participants are: the restaurant Geronimo in Fairfield and New Haven; Southport Brewing Co; the Westport Fire Department; Westport’s Bobby Q’s; Chef’s Table in Fairfield; the Little Pub in Ridgefield, Wilton and Greenwich; Wire Mill Saloon & BBQ in Georgetown; and the Weston Fire Department.
According to Keenan, funds raised benefit the Shelton-based Turtle Fund, “which seeks to promote the education of young people in art, music, theater, skilled craft and other creative pursuits in order to create a rich cultural heritage for tomorrow.”
For further information, visit MacChilifest.org or email Keenan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
