‘A whole lot of magic’: Registration nears for Hudson’s Hope Chili Cook-Off

HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. — Local food enthusiasts are invited to head to Hudson’s Hope in mid-September to see who can serve up the best bowl of chili.

Legacy Village Market’s second-ever chili cook-off will take place in the parking lot on September 14th, with registration for the event starting on September 1st.

With a registration limit of ten teams, the gathering was the idea of the Hudson Hope’s grocery store’s manager, Diania Harris.

“Nobody had ever done anything like this,” Harris told Energeticcity.ca. “Nobody had done a chili cook-off in Hudson’s Hope. So I wanted to start something.”

Teams enter for a $20 fee and can choose from a list of local charities, with contestants looking for pledges from co-workers, family members and friends. 

“Every dollar goes to a charity of their choice for every team that’s entered,” said Harris. “They pick a charity that they’re cooking for, and they raise money for that charity.

“They are welcome to phone their friends, their family, their co-workers and collect money right up until the cook-off day. [People can] purchase the chili and can make their donations again that day.”

According to Harris, the reason she allows contestants a two-week window to gather donations is because a single day would not generate enough money for the charities.

On September 14th, contestants will get grocery cards of $70 with which to purchase items in the store in a nine-minute shopping spree for ingredients.  

If they go over, they will have to forfeit an item. Additionally, any dollar amount underneath the limit will go toward the participants’ chosen charity.

In addition, while the chili is cooking, contestants will be asked to participate in mini-games for extra money for their chosen charity.

Ground meat will be supplied by local ranchers, and contestants have to remember their chili recipes “in their head,” said Harris.

They have to bring their own cooking apparatus, aprons, cooking utensils and “a whole lot of magic.”

The second annual Hudson’s Hope Chili Cook-Off will be held at Legacy Village Market at 10115 MacDougall Street in the District of Hudson’s Hope from 12 noon until 5 p.m. on September 14th.

Registration runs from Monday, September 1st until Sunday, September 7th.  Call the Legacy Village Market at 250-783-5355 for more information.