Historic Richmond Town Presents NYC Chili Cookoff 4/24

Ladies and gentlemen, start your burners! Historic Richmond Town presents the first annual New York City Chili Cookoff, the first of its kind ever sanctioned by the International Chili Society ("ICS") within the five boroughs of New York City. The big event will take place on Saturday, April 24th, from 11 AM to 4 PM (rain or shine) right here in Historic Richmond Town, New York City's only living history village. "It's an honor to have been chosen to present the first ever ICS-sanctioned cookoff in New York City," reports Ed Wiseman, Historic Richmond Town's executive director. "Visitors from across the U.S. will get to experience our very own down home New York hospitality within a historic park setting."

ICS members from all over the country will converge on New York City's most bucolic of backyards to compete in three culinary categories: Red Chili (Traditional Chili), Chili Verde (Green Chili), and Salsa. These "chiliheads" (as ICS members are affectionately known) will be joined by amateur cooks and other "chili rookies" from across the region as they vie for cash prizes ranging from $250 to $750. In addition to first and second prizes being awarded in each of the preceding categories, there will be a People's Choice award voted on by all those who come to the cookoff, as well as an award that will be given to the cook with the best-dressed booth. Steve Falkowski is the 1997 ICS World Champion and will become the first chief judge of the New York City Chili Cookoff when he arrives in Staten Island on April 24th.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL TO HAVE A GOOD TIME

Not only is Bob Coghlan the treasurer of Historic Richmond Town and the chief of Richmond Engine Company # 1, he is also a proud chilihead and a contestant in the ICS World Championship Chili Contest. "I've had so much fun at chili competitions all over the United States, I thought: Why don't we have our own competition right here in New York City? When I brought the idea to Historic Richmond Town's board of directors, they loved it, and the rest, as they say, is chili history."

If you're starting to think that you need to be a chilihead in order to have a good time at the New York City Chili Cookoff, think again. If you are like most of Historic Richmond Town's visitors, you'll probably prefer the eating to the competing. Fortunately for you, there will be plenty of chili samples to go around, so be sure bring a sturdy spoon along with a hearty appetite and get ready to exercise your civic chili duty as you vote in the People's Choice. If the chili's not hot enough for you, perhaps Planet Wings' Hot Wing-Eating Contest will tickle your taste buds, instead. When your mouth finally cries out for mercy, you'll be glad that R. Ippolito Distributing has the beer situation well in hand, and when your chili-induced amnesia finally causes you to go back for more, you might decide that a little Cabot Cheese is the way to go the second time around. Your mouth (and your significant other) may thank you for it.

In addition to the hot food and the cold drinks, there will be rides, games, and crafts for the "chili-dren" and plenty of live entertainment to keep the whole crowd groovin' all day long.

Admission to the New York City Chili Cookoff is only $8 for adults, $5 for children under 18, and FREE for children under 4 feet tall. All those paying admission will receive a personal tasting kit with voting instructions upon entering the historic village.

You think New York City's a pretty cool place, huh? Well, on April 24th, it's gonna be downright CHILI!

Sponsors for this year's New York City Chili Cookoff include R. Ippolito Distributing, Cabot Cheese, Planet Wings, and Chili's.

For more information about the New York City Chili Cookoff, please visit the following site: http://historicrichmondtown.org/events/details/212-the-new-york-city-chili-cookoff

For more information about the International Chili Society, please visit the following site: http://www.chilicookoff.com/default.asp

Historic Richmond Town

The Staten Island Historical Society operates Historic Richmond Town, New York City's historic village and museum complex. Historic Richmond Town is comprised of more than 25 homes and public buildings, including the Voorlezer's House, a National Landmark building dated to the 1690s; the Third County Courthouse, built in 1837; and P.S. 28, an elementary school built in 1907. Together, these buildings recreate the history of over 300 years of continuous residence on Staten Island. Located in the heart of Richmond County, Historic Richmond Town is a 15-minute drive from all bridges and a 30-minute ride from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal on the S74 bus.

Visitors to Historic Richmond Town can tour furnished historic structures as well as the exhibition galleries in the Historical Museum. The museum features the exhibitions Made on Staten Island, which presents the Island's industrial and social history, and TOYS!, which explores the many ways that children learn about themselves and their world through toys.

The mission of the Staten Island Historical Society is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience, especially that of Staten Island and its neighboring communities from the colonial period to the present day. Historic Richmond Town is a joint project of the independent Staten Island Historical Society and the City of New York through the Department of Cultural Affairs, and is a member of the Historic House Trust.