Downtown Traverse City Chili Cook-Off Was Hot

by mynorthmedia | Jan 14, 2013 | Counties, Events, Food & Drink, Towns

Traverse City Events: The weather was not so chilly in Northern Michigan, but the temperature was perfect for a day spent noshing on chili at the Downtown Traverse City Association’s 19th annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off presented by Pepsi Cola, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., WCCW/Z93, Bay Area Recycling for Charities and ABC 29&8, held today (Saturday, January 12, 2013) at the Park Place Dome in Downtown Traverse City.

The DTCA worked with Bay Area Recycling for Charities on the event to reduce waste. All utensils, napkins, bowls and spoons were made from compostable products. The entire event managed to generate only two bags of trash.

Twelve area restaurants entered 17 different chilies in the annual Chili Cook-Off.  The eateries competed in seven different categories as well as the overall favorite, the “People’s Choice” award.  Categories included:  1-Alarm, 2-Alarm, 3-Alarm, Seafood, Vegetarian, Ethnic, No Bean and White.

Almost 1,600 people attended the cook-off with each casting a vote for their favorites in each category at this favorite culinary event.  The DTCA managed to raise approximately $14,000 in 2012 to help fund Downtown community events such as Friday Night Live. Revenue totals will be calculated this week.  Winners included:

  • 1-Alarm – Red Mesa Grill
  • 2-Alarm –  Deerings Market
  • 3-Alarm-  Apache Trout Grill
  • Seafood – Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
  • Vegetarian – Oryana: Lake St. Cafe
  • White – Mt. Holiday
  • No Bean – Little Bohemia
  • Ethnic – Red Mesa Grill
  • People’s Choice – Apache Trout Grill, White Chili

Competing restaurants included:

All proceeds from the event help support such Downtown community activities as Friday Night Live, the Halloween walk, holiday activities and many other free downtown events throughout the year.

Find more Northern Michigan events with our events calendar.

Photo(s) by Photo Courtesy of Apache Tout Grill