Jan
13
Written by:
host
1/13/2010 7:00 AM
The winter weather that the Midwest and many other places are experiencing this week, has me thinking about warm food. As I write this, I have chili simmering in the crock pot. While I was making the chili this morning, I was reminded of a ministry idea that a fellow Christian Educator shared with me. (Unfortunately, I don’t remember who shared this idea. If it was you, please post a comment and take credit!) Adapting an idea used by secular organizations, her church hosted a chili cook-off.
A chili cook-off would be a great way to encourage fellowship, always a worthy ministry goal. If desired, the cook--off could be used as a fund-raising event. You might decide to charge a flat fee for the event and give each person a ballot to vote for his or her favorite chili (or the top three). Alternatively, you could charge nothing or a minimal amount and sell ballots for $1.00. In this case, people can vote as many times as they want, as long as they purchase ballots!
Here are a few thoughts to get your started.
- Choose a date and time.
- Publicize the event as many ways as you can think of: announcements, bulletins, newsletters, posters, bulletin boards, flyers distributed around town, newspaper ads and so forth.
- Invite individuals, families and/or church groups to provide a batch of chili for the event.
- Have the pots of chili numbered at the event if you want to provide anonymity.
- Recruit a group of people to serve chili.
- Use small bowls so that each person is encouraged to try several kinds of chili. Provide a way to rinse bowls between tastings, or use a new bowl each time.
- Decide on a prize for the winner. Bragging rights is sometimes enough!
- Count the votes shortly before the event ends, and announce the winner(s).
- Provide take-out containers (canning jars work well) and sell any leftovers, perhaps charging 50 cents or a dollar more for the winning chili.
Has your church hosted a chili cook-off? Do you have other suggestions or similar ideas? Please post a comment and share!
~Sally Hoelscher
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