Fifty down and 50 to go is the tally for the Sixth Annual Chili and Charros kick-off party, held last Sunday at Keith Thompson’s Longhorn Steakhouse.  “We are at the halfway point in our goal to sign on 100 day-of-event volunteers,” said Lisa Tyson Sandefer, co-coordinator of this yearly event that will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2012.

“This was a record kick-off,” noted Guadalupe Alvarez, whose event planning company, Penzi Bodas, is helping stage the 2012 edition of this CASI-sanctioned event.  “More people registered as contestants and signed on as volunteers than in previous years,” she added.  Co-coordinator Laurie Sandefer thinks the Cook-Off will be the biggest yet.  “It is a great event for everyone, from singles of all ages to families.  People come to sample chili and frijoles recipes, listen to music, dance, watch charreada demonstrations, have fun and make a meaningful contribution to at least five charities,” Sandefer said.

“For decades, the San Miguel Community Foundation has quietly but persistently provided financial support to dozens of local charities. This is the first charitable event that has ever been for the benefit of SMCF, and it was so nice to see the charities that have received grants from SMCF show up to support SMCF by participating in the Cook-Off,” added co-coordinator Lisa Tyson Sandefer. 

The Cook-Off will again be held on the grounds of the Hotel Real de Minas.  Doors open at 1:00 pm and close at 8:00.  Free chili and charros tastings take place from 1:00 to 4:00. 

Advance ticket purchases at $130 pesos are available at the Longhorn, the Biblioteca’s Ticket Centro, and from Casa de Vidrio at Correo 11.  Cook-Off  T-shirts are available online at $150 pesos each.  They will be sold at the event at $200 pesos.
 
To register to compete, sign on as a volunteer, or purchase discounted T-shirts, visit:
www.chiliandcharros.com