Outdoor Chili Fest - a hit in Sydenham

Sep 25, 2014

On September 22, in an effort to make their fundraising efforts visible and accessible to the local community, members of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Sydenham hauled out tables, chairs and all of the extension cords necessary to keep 17 pots of home-made chili warm for hungry passers-by. Music played from speakers set up outside the doors of the church on Mill Street as guests sampled the enormous variety of chilis, each donated by members of the church and the local community.

The event was a fundraiser for the church and was organized by Katt Bulch, a church member involved with the church's weekly Saturday night Crossing event. Katt was pleased with the turn out and said it was not just the delicious smelling chili but also the affordable prices of $5 for adults, $2 for teens and free for children under 12 years of age that attracted over 150 people to the event. The funds raised will be used to keep the church doors open.

Prizes were awarded for the best mild, medium and hot chilis as well as a prize for the best overall chili. Ginny Trousdale's entry won the best overall award and she said her secret ingredients are, surprisingly, a bit of strong coffee and cocoa powder, which she said “helps give the chili its rich, meaty flavour”.

The prizes were special commemorative Sydenham Chili Fest t-shirts that were donated by Paula MacDonald, who owns a print shop called Nothing But A Tees. Those who missed the Chilifest but who would like to donate by purchasing a T-shirt, please contact Katt Bulch at 613-876-9712.

This was St. Paul’s first Chili Fest but it was such a success that it will not be the last.