Entrants Sought for Chili Cook-off and Sampling

Entries are now being accepted for the 2012 Chill-A-Bration chili cook-off and sampling, scheduled for Saturday, February 25 on Main Street in Historic Downtown Cortland. Presented by the Cortland Downtown Partnership, restaurants from Cortland County are invited to join downtown’s restaurateurs in offering samples of their signature chilis and other wintry foods and beverages in competition for the People’s Choice Chill-A-Bration Sample.

Running from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the cook-off will earn the winning contestant the Chill-A-Bration trophy, an antique copper pot and ladle engraved with the winner’s name, to be kept in their possession until Chill-A-Bration 2013. This beautiful trophy was a unique find generously donated by Main Street Antiques at 3 S Main St. in Homer, NY.

“Moving Chill-A-Bration in its fifth year to Main Street from Court House Park should improve attendance and increase participation by restaurants downtown and throughout the County. By providing inside destinations for chili samplings and directly involving our retailers, similarly to A Taste of Downtown hosted each summer, the community will be more engaged within the cultural and commercial center of Cortland,” said Cortland Downtown Partnership Executive Director Adam Megivern.

Participants will offer their favorite chili and other wintry recipes to a crowd that can taste them while visiting downtown retailers to take advantage of the Chill-A-Bration sales. The $10 cost for sampling tickets will get each participant a Chill-A-Bration mug and a chance to win a $200 Downtown Gift Certificate raffle sponsored by the Scotsman Pennysaver.

Tickets, mugs, menus, and guides for the tasting will be available at the information and ticket booth located in the Marketplace Mall parking lot.

For sponsorship information or to register, contact the Cortland Downtown Partnership at 753-4928. The registration deadline is Friday, January 13th at 3 p.m.