FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Deep Dish Pizza
Heritage Square Shopping Plaza site of 2009’s ACF-sponsored Michiana Chili Cook-off on October 11
SOUTH BEND, IN/September 28, 2009/Martin’s Super Markets/ -- The 11th Annual Michiana Chili Cook-off will be held from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11 at Mishawaka’s Heritage Square Shopping Plaza.
The event will be staged in the Plaza’s Town Square outdoor public space, directly west of Martin’s Super Market. The all-ages event will be held rain or shine.
Sixteen professional and student chefs are expected to compete as individuals or teams for multiple awards. A ticket price of $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 10 entitles those attending to sample each entrant’s chili entry. The paid ticket also entitles participants to vote for their favorite candidate for the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Trophies will be awarded in professional and student categories for first, second and third place. In addition, one team will be named winner of the Best Booth Award as recognition for their efforts in decorating their cooking area on the basis of originality and creativity.
The official judging committee is scheduled to include Edie Sutton of Purdue University Extension, Tommy Carroll of 103.9 The Bear WRBR, Deb Miles of B100 WBYT and Mike Petrucelli and Karen Rallo of the South Bend Tribune.
“We’re looking forward to an event even bigger and better than in years past,” according to Greg Beachey, CCC, CIC and president of the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), co-hosting organization, along with Martin’s, of this year’s annual event. “It’s a great way for folks to get together to taste and enjoy great chili as interpreted by seasoned professionals as well as up-and-coming local culinary students. Best of all, proceeds are going to benefit our local ACF scholarship fund, so our efforts help support young people from our community who are interested in making the art of cooking a career.”
Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Northern Indiana Food Bank.
Live entertainment during the event will be provided by local group High Life.
A non-profit organization, the American Culinary Federation´s mission is to make a positive difference for culinarians through education, apprenticeship and certification, while creating a fraternal bond of respect and integrity among culinarians everywhere. The ACF South Bend Chefs and Cooks Association is dedicated to promoting the professional image of cooks and chefs through education among culinarians at all levels - from apprentice to master.
Martin’s Super Markets was founded in 1947 and currently has 20 stores in South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart, Goshen, Plymouth, Nappanee and Logansport, Indiana, and Niles, Stevensville and St. Joseph, Michigan.
Contact: Elise Kunkel, community affairs specialist, (574) 239-1391 or ealexander@martins-supermarkets.com or Ralph Pieniazkiewicz at (574) 631-5621.