A bowl of chili can soothe the soul and help you escape winter’s chill.
But on Sunday, Jan. 26, it will also fan the flames of friendly competition between numerous local groups in town.
For $5 per person, community members are invited to the Lions Hall at 982 Innisfil Beach Rd. at 1 p.m. to sample chili offered by representatives of eight local organizations. They'll then be asked to vote for their favourite chili and the best-dressed table.
All proceeds will be donated to the Innisfil Food Bank.
"We are excited to co-host this event with the Rotary Club of Innisfil. We anticipate a great turnout and in turn it will become a great annual event. Who doesn't like chili, playoff football and socializing with friends and neighbours on a cold Sunday in January?” said Alison Jacks, president of the Innisfil Lions Club.
Local groups, including the Lions, Rotary, Innisfil Christmas Cheer, Community for Kids, Candy Entertainment, Making Change, Innisfil Community Events (ICE), and the Royal Canadian Legion's Innisfil branch will be competing for a trophy and bragging rights as the winner of the best chili in town. Local organizations will showcase information about their services and future opportunities. The bar will be open, and pop and water will be available for purchase.
“We just thought … this would be a fun, interactive way to get the community together as there isn’t much to do in the winter. (It’s) a great way to get more information on some of the service clubs in town and just (have) fun,” Lions secretary Helen Vieira said.
When asked why the Lions and Rotary teamed up to co-host this event, Rotary president Ken Simpson said: “Both clubs support community and to this end this approach — collaborating with the Lions Club — fosters a genuine, positive environment where we share ideas, work together and have an ideological respect for each other's contributions."
Everyone benefits from the event, he added.
“The chili cook-off is a great way to support the food bank in Innisfil and have community come together," Simpson said.
To learn more about the local Lions and Rotary clubs, visit their respective websites.