Shelby's Social Diary
Hot stuff and hotties ruled at Blanco's during the chili cook-off for charity
For a first-time event, Casa de Esperanza's Young Professionals' Chili Cook-Off reached blockbuster proportions with close to 500 chili fans pouring onto the grounds of Blanco's for a Sunday afternoon of red-hot fun.
Thirty different teams fired up the stovetops and worked their magic with jalapeno peppers, cumin, ancho chiles, beans and all manner of meats from venison to ground sirloin. Many of them dressed in costumes such as the Chili-an Miners, who wore hard hats and reflective vests. It was all in an earnest effort to woo judges Tom Koch, KTRK Ch. 13 morning news anchor; chef David Cordúa; and epicurean blogger and radio personality Cleverley Stone. Walking away with the best overall award were the folks on the Chilitas team with the Chili Dawgs cooks placing second.
It was a great day for Casa de Esperanza which not only garnered loads of exposure but also reaped $40,000 for its programs providing care for children in crises.
Taking bows amid the super casual crowd were Young Professionals founders Bart Barret and Billy O'Neil who stepped in to support chili cook-off chairs Ben Brown and Alan Falik.
Guests danced to the sounds of the Cody Johnson Band, mingled indoors and out and sampled the chili offerings. Lining up for a taste of the good stuff were presenting sponsors Bonner and George Ball plus Frances and Tim Arnoult, Marsha Parker, Karen and Kevin Maley, Hallie Kuntz and John Daugherty III and Soraya and Scott McClelland. Add to the mix the 2011 Building Hope for Children gala chairs Sara Jane and Ross Canion.