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GRAFTON, Mass. - Anyone who has attended a chili challenge knows there will be a lot of heat stirring in the pot. Thankfully Kathleen Goddard, who is sponsoring and organizing such an event in North Grafton, is a licensed first responder trained by the fire department.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, from noon to 5 p.m., the first ever Chili Challenge and Fall Festival will be held in the parking lot of Gourmet Creations, a made-from-scratch pie and cake shop located in the North Grafton Shopping Center (also home to Danielle’s Pub), at 217C Worcester Street.
The event, sponsored by the North Grafton Business Association, will feature more than 10 local businesses showing off their chili talent. Kathleen Goddard, owner of Gourmet Creations, will feature a pumpkin chili which she perfected while tailgating in the Gillette Stadium parking lot before the Patriots game.
“My brother has season tickets so I’ve had a lot of practice,” Goddard said.
Other participants include Danielle's Pub, Sir Loin’s Butchery and Deli, Goretti’s Supermarket, Grafton American Legion Hall, culinary students from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, and others.
No one else is revealing what their secret ingredients will be in their chili, but expect a lot of heat.
The entrance fee is $4 and aside from the chili challenge there will be a Ms. Hot Tamale Pageant, a pumpkin painting exhibit, live music, and apple bobbing. Bring your wallet; there will also be a silent auction for gift certificates and gift baskets supported by local businesses’.
All money raised will support the Grafton Food Bank.
For more information, call Kathleen Goddard at 508-839-7100.
Comments (6)
I'm glad to see that you are prepared for the event better than we were. Events like this are positive for the town and gives it that small town feel and at the same time promotes business involvement with the community, Good luck.
This "1st" Chili Challenge has win-win all over it. Apparently past BOH issues have been resolved, opening the way for other such events throughout Grafton. In addition, this Challenge showcases a different part of town, broading our event "arena" . Thinking ahead to media advertising opportunities for the "2cd,3rd,4th etc..Challenge", it is EZ to envision this particular location as an EZ on/off stop-for-a-break with folks traveling on the MassPike for Fall leaf-peeping excursions. And finally, the Grafton Food Bank as recipient of the funds raised was a wonderful choice!
I hope Lois from the BOH is ok with all of this. Everyone participating better have their Serve Safe papers, a word of advice to all participants. I am involved in a Club in town and we tried to do the same thing last winter with a Chili contest and she came down on us telling us that people cannot be in a public situation while giving food to people without being certified. I hope your contest goes better than ours did.
The NG event organizers were only too well aware of what has "happened" previously in Grafton with the striking down of proposed chili contests. Thus, companies / restaurants, and (unfortunately) not individuals, are the contest entries. As one individual, I am working hard to spread the work about the event - it's good for the community's
economic development - and it also sends a not so subtle message that many of us know needs to be sent. For that reason alone - please come on the 22nd and participate.....
Thank you Grafton Daily Voice - for helping to let everyone know about this event sponsored by the North Grafton Business Association. The Grafton Economic Development Commission voted at their September meeting to officially endorse this event and urges everyone to support the activities of the North Grafton Business Association!
Sounds delicious, can't wait!