New England Chili Classic - Call For Entries!

Aug. 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Manchester, NH – Chefs all over New Hampshire and New England are getting ready to unveil their very best chili creations for the New England Chili Classic.  Leading the pack are well-known chefs from the Common Man, T-BONES and Cactus Jacks, Hanover Street Chophouse, Mountain View Grand, Three Chimneys Inn and Buckley’s. Competition will include Best Red Chili, Best Vegetarian Chili, Most Creative Chili and of course, the ever favorite, People’s Choice Award. Well-known radio and television host, Billy Costa will be at the event on Sunday, and will be presenting the awards to winning restaurants/chefs. Billy Costa is a native of Cambridge, MA and is known for his TV Diner show which airs on NECN.

   A few of the first chefs to sign up for the event commented on the opportunity. Chef Nicole Barreira, a prior People Choice winner from T-BONES and Cactus Jack’s, will be serving up her winning chili, “It’s great for all the restaurants to get together and have a little fun with the competition and to just be outside and enjoy this fall event! I’m looking forward to showcasing our restaurants.”  

   Karen Meyer from the Three Chimneys Inn in Durham will be at the event, “We are very excited to participate in the New England Chili Classic event. We know first hand how valuable marketing opportunities like these are for our restaurant...whenever we participate in an event like this, we see new guests in our restaurant and have also booked wedding parties as well!”
    “I can’t wait to throw my chef hat into this chili cook-off event in Manchester! In fact, I’m looking forward to trying the other chefs’ recipes, too.  This is a great time of year to use local farm-fresh NH crops, especially when it comes to our Chili! Thanks to the NHLRA for another great collaborative event,” said Executive Chef Adam Parker of the Mountain View Grand Resort.
There are cash prizes as well as the best prize; the bragging rights and recognition that go along with winning an award! The event is open to chefs for a small entry fee of $50 for NHLRA members and $100 for non-members.  This entry fee includes a 10x10 tent and the opportunity to meet and greet the general public as they come to sample this culinary favorite!  During the last two years, this event has drawn over 40,000 attendees.
However, it’s not just about the chili.  The event is held in Veterans Park and on Elm Street in downtown Manchester, NH. It is a combination of street fair, music, entertainment, and also boasts the opportunity for people to meet and talk it up with their favorite chefs!
The event runs on Saturday and Sunday, October 13-14, 2012 from Noon to 6pm.  Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Each ticket provides the attendee with 5 sampling opportunities and admission into the entertainment area. The main stage will provide music and entertainment throughout the two day event.
There are sponsorship opportunities for this event and space is available for street vendors. Registration for restaurants is still open and information can be found at www.NewEnglandChiliClassic.com.
            
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