By Kathy Matson • Special to The Current
It all started in the summer of 2013 when the management staff at Galen Glen Winery was planning events for the 2014 calendar year. They were thinking that the fall harvest season sparks much interest in their 20+ acre vineyard and the holiday season that follows draws fans from far and wide for gift giving and entertaining ideas but what about January?
January in our area is great if you love to ski or participate in other winter sports but if the outdoors is not your thing, what is there to do? Where’s the fun? January needed a fun-raiser!
That’s when the idea of a chili cook off began to form. Much like the proverbial snowball down the hill, it has continued to grow and evolve in the years that followed. In January of 2014 six contestants entered the first chili cook off. It drew over 150 people to taste and vote and the winner was Todd Keller of Kutztown.
Galen Glen staff notes that there was irony in this win as we had no idea how many people would come or how much chili to ask the chefs to prepare. Todd ran out of chili in the first hour so ballots given after that had his name removed and yet, he still won with his Tex-Mex Chili.
After the success of that event, the staff at Galen Glen decided the Fun-Raiser should become a Fund-Raiser (there’s still Fun in that). Future chili cook off events would benefit their local first responders of The West Penn Fire Company. Galen Troxell, winegrower, stated, “Our local volunteers do so much for this community and are consistently working to raise the funds needed to stay operational, the winery wanted to help.” Since January of 2015 this event has raised thousands of dollars for the fire company to afford new, life-saving equipment.
On January 26, 2019, Galen Glen will host their Sixth Annual Chili Cook Off. They welcome guests from the area and visitors to our community to attend and vote for the winning chili. For $9, each guest over the age of 21 will receive a sample of chili from each of the five contestants and a glass of wine. In addition they will receive a ballot to vote for their favorite chili. $5 from every guest who attends and votes will be given to the fire company. The winner of the competition will receive a $100 gift certificate to the winery and other wine-related gifts.
Each contestant receives a $25 gift certificate to the winery as well. Past winners have been home chefs, Brian Eagers of Emmaus, Tripti Stashefski of Lehighton and Todd Keller of Kutztown. Professional chefs who have won were Cheryl Leone of Mama C’s Bakery in New Ringgold and Joe Sweeney and Jake Snyder who is now the executive chef at Notch Eight Crafthouse in Jim Thorpe. The rules are simple; the chili just needs to contain a Galen Glen wine in the recipe. Chili can be beef, turkey, venison, vegetarian and even vegan.
If you are interested in competing for the championship title and prizes, call the winery at 570-386-3682 or email gruveegruner@galenglen.com for an entry form. You can also stop by the vineyard, 255 Winter Mountain Road, Andreas, PA 18211 during normal business hours to learn more.
The winery invites everyone to attend on Saturday, January 26 between noon and 3pm. Watch Galen Glen Winery’s Facebook page or website, www.galenglen.com for details. Plan to visit and meet new friends while raising some winter fun.
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