RANCHO SANTA FE — A light-hearted competition is ready to sizzle at the Rancho Santa Fe Library. The first annual “Great Chili Cook-Off” Jan. 28 is being presented by the Rancho Santa Fe Library Guild and it’s everyone’s hope that this will become an annual event.
What inspired this event was the Guild’s monthly Kitchen Hack series, which has grown more popular with each passing month. The Kitchen Hack has offered a platform for chefs to walk participants through the preparations of savory meals and desserts. RSF library and guild staff has also taken on this role by sharing their favorite recipes.
Being that January is National Soup Month, the Guild thought a Kitchen Hack cooking twist by way of an informal chili cook-off would be fun.
Susan Appleby, Guild membership and development manager, mentioned so far a few submissions have already been received by staff and they are welcoming community submissions, as well.
Participants are invited to prepare a small crock-pot of their chili and bring it the day of the event, which will take place in the community room at the library. However, if more guests participate, the event will be moved to a larger room for the accommodation, she said.
“We ask that everyone make a copy of their recipe and we’ll make extra copies for them to share,” Appleby said. “And then we have several board members, and possibly a few community leaders, who’ll be judging.”
Appleby said the community is invited to either make a submission or taste the chili for this special debut. According to Appleby, they have room for 10 cooking participants.
Since there are a limited number of spaces, staff encourages those interested to call the Guild office or stop by the library for information.
Appleby admitted she is personally taking part in the chili cook-off by preparing chicken chili. Submissions can be a variation of all type of recipes including traditional, poultry and even vegetarian.
“The chili can be prepared any way you want it to be,” she said.
Appleby pointed out that there is no cost to participate or drop by for the tasting.
“If this takes off, it would be fun to do this annually,” Appleby said.
For more information about the First Annual RSF Library Great Chili Cook-Off Jan. 28 at 12:30 pm, call the Guild office at (858) 756-4780.
