Firefighters Chili Challenge Friday, Jan. 9
Restaurant Chili Challenge Saturday, Jan. 10
Cold temperatures will be a distant memory during two separate Chili Challenges this weekend at Lock 3 in downtown Akron. Firefighters and local restaurants will both throw down the gourmet gauntlet and battle for gastrointestinal glory.
The 3rd annual Firefighter's Chili Challenge will take place Friday, January 9 from 11am- 2pm, and the inaugural Restaurant Chili Challenge is Saturday, January 10 from 11am - 3pm.
For just a five dollar donation to Children's Hospital, a guest can sample the wares of every chili chef on hand on each day. Bowls of chili are also available for $3. Panera Bread will be providing bread and rolls both days. Beverages include Coca Cola products and cold beer.
Participants in the Firefighter's Chili Challenge with names of their chili :
City of Akron Fire Department -"Flash Over Chili"
City of Akron Police Department-"Bullet Proof Chili"
Brouse McDowell-"Over the Legal Limit Chili"
Roetzel & Andress-"Hard Times Chili"
City of Akron Communications Department-"Communications Just Right" Chili
City of Akron Engineering Bureau -"Down on the Farm Chili"
This is the third year that police officers and firefighters have squared-off in the Chili Challenge. The City's Communications and Engineering departments are taking their first Challenge so seriously that they held cook-offs to determine which chili they will present at the final Challenge.
Restaurant Chili Chalenge, Jan. 10
Participants in the Restaurant Chili Challenge with names of their chili:
Aladdin's Eatery-"Vegetarian Chili"
Barley House-"White Chicken Chili"
Hackers-"Jamaican Pork & Pineapple Chili"
Ido Bar & Grill-"Ido Chili"
Ivan's-"5 Alarm Chili"
Ohio Brewing Company-"CBG's Flaming Chili"
In addition to wanting to raise money for The Akron Children's Hospital Burn Unit, each participant is competing for awards in a variety of categories. Restaurants will be awarded certificates for the Meatiest Chili, the Most Bean Varity, the Most Creative Name, the Sweetest and the ever important People's Choice Award.
The presenting sponsor of Lock 3 winter events is the First Merit Foundation. Media sponsor for January is WONE.
Other events include:
Saturday and Sunday, January 17th-18th, 11am-5pm - The Cabin Fever Art Fair - more than 20 local artists and craftsmen
Saturday, January 24th, 11am-4pm- Winter Carnival - Children's games, contests, entertainment
Sunday, January 25th, 11am-3pm - "Noodlemania" benefiting Akron Children's Hospital Autism Research
Saturday, January 31st, 11am-3pm - The "Soup-er Bowl," benefiting the United Way of Summit County
Sundays January 4th, 11th and 18th, 11am-1pm - Pancake Breakfasts benefiting various charities
Admission is always free and skate rentals are $2. Dollar-off skate rental coupons are printed in the JB Dollar Stretcher, Akron Life and Leisure Magazine and the Akron Beacon Journal's Thursday Enjoy section.
For more information, call 330-375-2877, or go to http://www.lock3live.com/.
