Here's what you should know about this year's Sertoma Chili Cook-Off
There are a lot of chili competitions, but there’s only one Sertoma Chili Cook-Off.
Since its inception, this annual shindig has raised $2.4 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.
This year there will be 124 booths of chili, serving up more than 12,000 cups of the good stuff.
“Chili of all kinds, from white chili, chili con carne, Colorado, turkey, vegan, five-alarm, all kinds of concoctions. It’s interesting to try all the styles,” said Pat Gartland, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. “After a long winter of bad weather, it’s nice to have a big party for a good cause.”
The chili competition is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Springfield Expo Center, 635 E Saint Louis St.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online (with fees) or at Fast & Friendly locations. You can also buy tickets day-of at the door.
General admission tickets are $16 in advance or $20 at the door. VIP tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door.
The best chili could go on to greatness
There’s some big news this year: The Sertoma’s Grand Champion Chili winner will go on to compete at the 2019 World Food Championships in the chili category.
They will receive a $500 stipend from WFC to attend the competition in Dallas in October and if they can snag a win at the live culinary competition, they’ll bring home $10,000.
But first, Friday night poker & performances
The cook-off fundraiser has become a two-day event and includes a Texas Hold 'Em competition at 6 p.m. Friday at the Expo Center, with a $3,500 prize pool. The suggested donation for the poker tournament is $60 at the door for a $10,000 chip buy-in.
Aside from the poker, there’s a beer garden and performances by Krista Meadows and Kris Palmer, Wicked Shimmy and Innuendo. Buy tickets in advance at ChiliTix.net for a suggested donation of $50.
Music on two stages
Music has become an integral part of this extravaganza, and there are two stages — a main and an acoustic — with performances by:
- The Mixtapes
- The Dirty Saints
- Steve Moeller Band
- Ryan Collins
- Smokey Folk
- DJ CEO
- Mike Henderson and Melissa Rea
- Drifters Mile
- Justin Larkin and His Suitcase
Cook-offs are for the Boys & Girls
Money raised from the cook-off will be used to help create a music studio at the Boys & Girls Clubs Henderson Unit near Grant Beach Park.
“We have always had music lessons, but we are creating a music studio,” said Gartland. “We have an Apple computer, recording software. We will have state-of-the-art equipment. Palen Music Center is donating a bunch of equipment. We will have guest artists come in to perform. There will be amplifiers. We have drums kits set up, keyboards, microphones. The other thing is we will have software where kids can create songs. We are really excited about that.”
In addition, money raised from the cook-off funds a job training program at the clubs and will be used to help replace one of their vehicles.
The Sertoma clubs are nonprofit organizations that focus on raising money for charity, primarily sponsoring children's charities in Springfield and the surrounding community.
“We have more than 2,100 members in the club, so that’s a lot of kids this helps to support,” Gartland said. “I was telling someone yesterday, you see people at this that you haven’t seen since the last Chili Cook-off, so it’s like a big reunion. It should be a lot of fun.”
Want to go?
What: 2019 Sertoma Chili Cook-Off
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Springfield Expo Center, 635 E. St. Louis St.
Tickets: $16 in advance at Fast & Friendly locations or ChiliTix.net, $20 at the door
Information: www.sertomachilicookoff.com
Also: Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. Friday is a poker tournament at 6 p.m. at the Expo Center. The suggested is donation $60 at the door or $50 in advance.
