The “hot” gift of this holiday season might be tickets to Chilifest. Chilifest is a pre-Super Bowl event that takes place on Feb. 1, 2015 at Bedford Middle School in Westport from 11AM to 3PM. Just like its sister event, Chowdafest, everyone is given a spoon, ballot and pencil, then sample 18 different kinds of chili's and vote on their favorites.
Chilifest will feature three categories of chili's: classic beef, creative chili (turkey, vegetarian, green etc.) and “Firehouse” chili. Twelve local restaurants will compete in the classic and creative categories while firefighters from the Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton Fire Departments are slated to compete in a separate category for best firehouse chili.
“We're excited to find out which restaurant people believe has the best chili and equally thrilled to be holding a separate competition to determine what firehouse makes the best chili too” said Jim Keenan, event director. “Fire departments are famous for their chili. Some of these fire fighters really know their way around the kitchen”. The category is sponsored by Local Kitchen & Beer Bar of Norwalk and Fairfield to remind people to support their LOCAL fire department.
Some of the restaurants competing in the 2015 competition include: Bobby Q's (Westport), Cask Republic (New Haven, Stamford), Chef's Table (Fairfield), Chilibomb (Fairfield), Liquid Lunch (Milford, Shelton), Local Kitchen & Beer Bar (Fairfield, Norwalk), Naked Greens (Norwalk, Wilton), Simply Delicious (Norwalk) and Southport Brewing Co. (Branford, Milford, Southport). The roster of competitors will be finalized soon.
Tickets bought online are just $10 adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12. “At ten bucks, they make great stocking stuffers” said Keenan. Tickets at the door will be $15. Tickets can be purchased online at Come2Chilifest.com
Chilifest benefits the 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.