LANSING, Mich. – Superb weather and a true love of chili attracted thousands of chiliheads to Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing this evening for the 14th Annual BWL Chili Cook-Off. More than 12,000 people attended the annual event, which benefits the Sparrow Foundation, the Hope Scholars Connections Program and Impression 5 Science Center/Adopt-A-River.
“A combination of perfect weather, fabulous turnout and the fact that there were more vendors than ever before made this year’s Cook-Off one of the best yet,” said BWL Communications Director Mark Nixon. “It was really great to see so many people come out to support three great charities.”
Fifty different Lansing-area restaurants, non-profits, businesses and amateur chefs combined to make approximately 2,000 gallons of chili. Vendors competed in nine different categories in hopes of being awarded “People’s Choice Best Overall Chili.” The People’s Choice award is determined via ballots given to event attendees. For all other chili categories, local celebrity judges determined the winners.
This year’s judges included: Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley, Lansing City Council Member Kathie Dunbar and City Council President Derrick Quinney, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope, radio personality Walt Sorg, Impression 5 Science Center Board President Jeff Maloney, as well as Andrea Price and Elizabeth Hernandez of Sparrow Healthcare.
This year’s winners are as follows:
People’s Choice – Best Overall Chili
Gold Ladle: Lansing Lugnuts
Silver Ladle: Lansing Fire Department
Bronze Ladle: Harrison Road House
Best Restaurant Chili
Gold Ladle: Red Robin
Silver Ladle: Harrison Road House
Bronze Ladle: Applebee’s
Best Corporate Chili
Gold Ladle: The Gallery at MSU
Silver Ladle: Balloon’s Galore
Bronze Ladle: Marine Corps League
Best Meatless Chili
Gold Ladle: Soup to Nuts Bistro
Silver Ladle: Texas Road House
Bronze Ladle: The Firm
Best Amateur Chili
Gold Ladle: Shannon Shavers
Mo’ Hotter, Mo’ Better – Hottest Chili Award
Gold Ladle: Mayfair Bar
Silver Ladle: Lansing Teen Challenge
Bronze Ladle: Paramount Coffee
The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau awarded the Red Hot Hospitality Award to the CVB member organization that was most fun and welcoming.
Red Hot Hospitality Award:
Gold Ladle: Dublin Square
Silver Ladle: Jackson National Life
Bronze Ladle: Beggar’s Banquet
Most Creative Chili Booth
Gold Ladle: Jackson National Life with "Retirement Beach Bash"
Silver Ladle: Harrison Roadhouse with "Weird Science"
Bronze Ladle: The State Room with "Michigan State"
Most Creative Chili Name
Gold Ladle: The Firm with "Fire in the Hole"
Silver Ladle: Radisson Hotel with "Blazing Saddles"
Bronze Ladle: The State Room with "Sparty's Rock 'em Sock 'em Chorizo Chili"
In addition to the chili, this year’s Cook-Off included live performances from Lansing bands 496 West and La Inspiracion. Attendees were also able to burn off their chili calories on a mechanical bull and an inflatable obstacle course and climbing wall.
The BWL would like to thank participating restaurants, businesses, sponsors and thousands of Chili Cook-Off attendees for another great year!
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