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03/22/2017 08:30 AMOn Saturday, April 8, Marilyn Clements and the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce (SCC) have the perfect recipe to spice up your Saturday—take on the Chili Challenge for a Cause, returning to the Branford Green for the fifth year in a row.
From noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, look for Marilyn and her volunteer committee manning the Chamber tent on the Town Green. Those who make a $10 contribution will become an intrepid taster for the afternoon. Guests can also register in advance at www.shorelinechamberct.com
Each taster takes off from the tent with a Chili Challenge directory and an all-important bottle of water (donated by Nestle Waters). The afternoon involves a self-guided tour—on foot is encouraged—to Chili Challenge stations set up at about a dozen participating downtown restaurants and businesses.
Tasters may find themselves sampling in their favorite downtown restaurant (or at one that’s about to become their new favorite), stopping by their best boutique, or visiting one of Branford’s businesses for the very first time. The best part? Each taster gets to vote for their favorite chili, and the winning chef (most votes tallied) earns a $500 prize to give to his or her charity of choice.
The chef’s takeaway? Well, on top of bragging rights for a year, the winning chef earns the Chamber’s snazzy Chili Challenge Ladle Trophy and the Best Branford Chili 2017 title. The second and third most-winning chili recipes will also earn their chefs a recognition award from the Chamber. All votes will be tallied, and winners named, at a special Reveal Party at Asti’s at 3:30 p.m. on April 8.
“The whole day is so much fun,” says Marilyn, now in fourth year as a volunteer and first year as chaiperson of Chili Challenge for a Cause. “The Reveal Party at Asti’s has become an event in itself, with so many people from the day gathering there.”
The Chili Challenge committee works months in advance to set up a seamless event which fills downtown. This year’s presenting sponsor is Mobeck-Guandalini Insurance of Branford. Last year, 600 people arrived to take on the Chili Challenge over the three-hour tasting period.
“I think some folks feel that this and all events are simply just put together quickly. It takes at least six months—or more for some—and it is a lot of work for our committee members,” says Marilyn, adding her favorite part of the day is to see so many people strolling downtown as they travel between challenge sites.
Once again, the committee has gathered a group of top chefs from the shoreline to share their unique recipes, and she can’t wait to see what will be served up this year.
“Two years ago a wild boar chili won, and last year [The Hearth at] Gardenside won with a great presentation for his chili—we give them little cups, but he had his on a plate with a fancy leaf. He went the extra mile!” says Marilyn.
To date, Chili Challenge chefs have signed on from local restaurants including Asti’s, Benny J’s, Donovan’s Reef, Edibolic Kitchen, Eli’s, Evergreen Woods, Foe, Home, La Cuisine, Parthenon Diner, Shoreline Café, Shoreline Prime, and The Hearth at Gardenside.
As some of the participating restaurants aren’t located within walking distance of the Town Green, businesses along Main Street have stepped in to host, setting up chef’s stations inside their shops.
“Basically our host sites are lined up along the Green. It’s a great publicity event for these businesses, and they’re helping out our chefs by hosting them in their boutique or other kind of business,” says Marilyn.
Host sites, to date, include Ashley’s Ice Cream, Century 21, Harbour Mortgage, Myers Florist, Possessions, Soundrunner, Towne Pharmacy, and Trailblazer.
To tie together the Chili Challenge’s trifecta of offerings, each chef has selected a non-profit group that could win the day’s $500 prize for their cause. For their part, the non-profits are eagerly notifying supporters of a great day to come out, show support, and vote for their chef during the Chili Challenge for a Cause.
As an event, the Chili Challenge, and it’s sister program in Guilford the Chowder Challenge (held in fall), are among the most successful offered by SCC, which represents the towns of Branford, Guilford, and North Branford. Marilyn also volunteers with the Chowder Challenge. She says SCC is thriving because of great leadership from Chamber President Ed Lazarus and great participation from Chamber members who are willing to roll up their sleeves and put on programs like these.
“I’ve been with the Chamber since March of 2013,” says Marilyn, a Branford resident who signed on shortly after starting her Branford-based print magazine publication, The Breeze. “The people are amazing. This is probably the most amazing Chamber out there. I think part of the reason is because, when new members join, Ed encourages them to be active.”
Even busy businesspeople like Marilyn, who is also an independent contractor assisting Medicare insurance recipients and a children’s author (she likes to share her first book, Benson’s Race, through readings at schools and libraries), can find time to get involved with the Chamber, she says.
“I am happy to volunteer for Chamber of Commerce events. These events are feel-good events! Especially after the Chili and the Chowder challenges, I always think, ‘I had such a beautiful day, and I helped the Chamber,’” says Marilyn.
This year’s Chili Challenge falls on Marilyn’s birthday, April 8, and she couldn’t be happier about that, too.
“I get to work one of my favorite Chamber events on my birthday!” she says.
The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce fifth annual Chili Challenge is Saturday, April 8, rain or shine, on the Branford Town Green from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets, $10, can be purchased in advance at www.shorelinechamberct.com or available at the Chamber Tent on the Town Green on April 8. For more information, call 203-488-5500.