Sydenham Chili Fest

Julie Druker | Sep 24, 2015

No less than 20 steaming pots of chili were the main attraction for hungry guests who attended the second annual Sydenham Chili Fest fundraiser for St. Paul's Anglican Church on September 19.

With names like Melt Your face Off, Walk the Dog, Fire in the Hole, Cocoa Loco, Spine Tingler, Chili Chili Bang Bang and El Scorcho, chili connoisseurs had a field day sampling the various tasty concoctions, each donated either by members of the church congregation or the local community.

Each entry strove to win over the taste buds of the five brave people who had volunteered to judge the chilis, including St. Paul's Rev. Guiseppe Gagliano, South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal, South Frontenac school trustee Suzanne Ruttan, Deputy Fire Chief Tom Veldman and special guest judge Bill Welychka from CKWS-TV in Kingston.

The colourful and lively fundraiser attracted chili lovers of all ages to the outdoor street event, which also offered up free pony rides from Deline Ponies; live music courtesy of the bands Floored and the church's own The Crossing band; face painting and balloon animals courtesy of the Not So Amateur Amateurs; and cotton candy and popcorn. A whole host of local sponsors contributed to help make the event an enjoyable one for all ages.

The judges rated the three categories of mild, medium and hot chilis based on criteria that included colour, aroma, consistency, taste and after-taste, and the winners took home Chili Fest aprons donated by Hendrick's and adorned with the official Sydenham Chili Fest logo, which was designed and donated by Paula MacDonald of Just A Tees.

Katt Bulch, a member of the St .Paul's congregation, who along with her family regularly attend the church's lively Saturday night service called The Crossing, founded and organized the event. Bulch said she was inspired by the Kingston Chili Fest and wanted to create a similar event in Sydenham that would “ pull the church and Sydenham community together”. New this year was a fan favorite category where attendees had a chance to vote for their favorite batch. The event attracted 150 chili lovers last year, and is steadily growing in popularity. Bulch said she was hoping to surpass that number this year.