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What makes up a great chili? Beans, peppers, onions, spices, veggies, beef, or even venison? Sure, we all have our likes and dislikes in this perfect fall and winter dish, but at the Sixth Annual Stamford Chili Cook-off, over 300 hungry visitors had the final say.
Held on Sunday, 11/3, the Stamford Chili Cook-off had bigger digs, usually held at the Stamford Unitarian Universalist Church. This year it was part of the Touch a Truck event at Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Organized by Joe Gonzalez, the contest was an amazing hit, bringing people in from all over to vote in their favorite chili. By the end of the day, there were hundreds of votes and lots of money raised for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. We’re talking about just around $1,700 raised as well as countless bags of groceries to help feed the hungry.
The competition was definitely heated (except for Joey Kuntz’s dessert chili which was served up cold), but all the contestants went around, talked with each other, and tasted each other’s chili. This was a great event and there was some awesome chili. We look forward to the 7th Annual Chili Cook-off next year…and so should you!
Here are the winners:
1st: The Benzaken’s “Three Bird Chili” – (Alain and daughters Casey and Jordan)
2nd: Wakeman Town Farm –Chipotle Veggie Chili with Cornbread
3rd: Rama Kumanduri and Cristina Romero –”Chili con Pasion”
And here is the description of each chili:
A) The Benzakens – “Three Bird Chili” – Inspired by the Thanksgiving season, former champs Casey and Jordan have created a special chili that includes smoked duck, chicken and turkey. A spicy blend that includes chipotle peppers and white beans, this chili will make your senses soar high, even though none of these birds can actually fly. Well…maybe the ducks. In any case, stop by our table and enjoy our unique chili!
B) Joe Kuntz – From the “transplanted Texan gone crazy”, we have a Vegetarian dessert chili! No meat, some sweet, and some heat! Served on corn tortillas.
C) Brian Cronin – “24 Hour East River Couch Chili” – The East River has often been referred to by the NYC Police and Fire Rescue teams as “Deep, Dark and Dangerous”. I just added Delicious to that identity, and you now have my chili! Simmered for a minimum of 24 hours with no less than 16 ingredients. Fresh white corn and a secret smoke component are the standouts in this Deep, Dark, Dangerous and Delicious three meat batch. Brother Sean has concocted his rich cornbread to accompany this tummy bath to soothe any heat that may linger too long.
D) Wakeman Town Farm – “Chipotle Veggie Chili With Cornbread” – This chili is made from organic vegetables harvested from Wakeman Town Farm in Westport as well as Sport Hill Farm in Easton and several other Fairfield County farms. Made with an all vegetable stock, homemade smoked jalapeno, organic veggies and topped with a cilantro cornbread. It will have a mildly smoky flavor with a slight spicy kick. Our recipe will be available to take home!
E) Robin Skidmore – “Mighty Bruin Tex-Mex” – Take a walk on the “Wild Side” with this rare chance to try wild bear – a rich red meat much like beef, all flavor, no gamey edge. You’ll be amazed how delicious it is! But while bear is the heart of this chili, the Mexican spices are its soul. Hot peppers are paired off with fresh cilantro and Mexican oregano for a flavorful slow burn that will have your taste buds begging for another spoonful!
F) Bill and Jean Marie Warncke – “Buffalo Bill’s Southwest GRILLED Chili” – This year we have a new take on a chili cook-off classic! Buffalo Bill has taken his formula of savory meats, peppers and spices to the next level by incorporating grilled ingredients sure to win over even the toughest chili judge! A little bit of smoky-ness, a little bit of heat and a lot of flavor is packed into every bite!
G) Chef Hunter Zampa (competed on Rachael vs. Guy) – Venison Chili with a unique twist of Asian inspired flavors sure to warm your heart and soul!
H) Shawn Carlson – Do you feel like a Sam Adams? Do you love chili? Who does not love bacon? Well come one, come all, and enjoy…”Sam Adams Cowboy Beef and Bacon Lager Chili”! Beans, beef, peppers, spices, Sam Adams, and BACON!!!!! Enjoy, and vote for the Cowboy!
I) It’s Getting Chili In Here! – HEAT and SWEET! Long, slow simmered meat, spices, tomatoes and 3 chile base with a secret ingredient for a flavorful finale!
J) Stamford HS Marching Band – “Rancher’s Spicy Pinto Bean and Chicken Chili” – Pinto beans, chicken, onion, garlic, tomatoes, green peppers, chili powder, salt, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.
K) Bold for the Gold – Dan Tewes and his daughter Sarah make a chili that is bold and spicy, rich in beef with fresh veggies. The chili up front heat is not overpowering, which allows you to enjoy all the flavors. However, the heat builds as you eat more and is best consumed with a cold beverage of choice!
L) Rama Kumanduri and Cristina Romero– “Chile con Pasión” – A unique balance of fresh and dry Chiles (roasted and smoked, hot and flavorful) combined with peppers and spices from around the world to pleasure your palate!
It’s September 8. That’s the date we told you that you’d no longer be able to get the early bird prices for the Food for All 2013: A Night to End Hunger in Fairfield County event for Community Plates. This event was put together to help Community Plates in their mission to rescue over 3,000,000 meals by 2014, feeding the hungry in Fairfield County. Quite an admirable goal, especially considering that they’ve rescued 2,000,000 already since they began in 2011. Food for All is taking place on October 1 at The Loading Dock in Stamford and there will be two ticketing options depending on how much you’d like to help out.
And, even though the early bird pricing is gone, by using two special codes you can get a nice discount! Enter the code “OmNomVIP” without the quotation marks and you’ll receive $50 off the price of the cocktail reception, bringing the total price down to $200 or enter the code “OmNom” and you’ll receive $25 off the price of the main event, bringing the price down to $125. But, there’s even another way to get yourself in the door for this highly coveted ticket…just donate. Yes, just click here, and donate whatever you feel comfortable with. The winners of 10 pairs of tickets will then be chosen by Community Plates and announced on September 21.
Here’s the description from our original post of what you’ll get with each ticket to further entice you to come along! We hope to see you there.
1) VIP Cocktail Reception from 6:30-7:30
VIPs will have access to a cocktail reception that features local chefs, an Oyster bar courtesy of Norm Bloom and Son, an open bar, and other surprises. You’ll also receive access to A Night to End Hunger.
Tickets are $200 each until September 7or $250 until October 1. Use OmNomVIP as your discount code for $50 off.
2) A Night to End Hunger from 7:30-10
Some of Connecticut’s hottest and newest restaurants will be on hand, giving tasty portions of their food. There will be dancing, an open bar (they go very nicely together), a talk about food insecurity, special recognitions, and lots of surprises along the way. We can’t wait to share some of the great stuff that’s planned out for you. In the meantime, here are some more details about A Night to End Hunger
Tastings from…
- Cask Republic, the Stamford-based tavern voted one of the best pubs in Connecticut.
- Aladin Indian Bistro (Norwalk), where lighter more health conscious ‘traditional’ Indian food delivers the dramatic impact of the cuisine’s spices and preparation techniques.
- Mama’s Boy Southern Table & Refuge, which offers Southern hospitality and charm with a little sass.
- NOLA Oyster Bar in Norwalk, where the dining experience incorporates “from New Orleans to Maine and all shorelines in-between.”
- Post 154 (Westport), with a land and sea menu concept that is global, often playful, occasionally more refined, and always flavorful and contrasting.
- 323 Restaurant & Bar in Westport, which combines the charm of an authentic New England farmhouse with New York sophistication.
- The Spread in Norwalk (just added)
- Millstone Farm in Wilton (just added)
- Bar Sugo in Norwalk (just added)
- Oak + Almond in Norwalk (just added)
- Mecha Noodle Bar in Fairfield (just added)
- Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield (just added)
- Baro in Fairfield (just added)
- Boca in Stamford (just added)
- Redding Roadhouse in Redding (just added)
- And even more restaurants that will be added shortly.
Open bar and dancing…
Reveal of Community Plates award-winning GoRescue program
Recognition of Fairway Market Stamford (food donor), Thomas Merton Center/St. Stephen’s Food Pantry (Partner Agency), and Siobhan Crise (Volunteer Food Runner).
Tickets are $125 each until September 7or $150 until October 1. Use OmNom as your discount code for $25 off.Food for All: A Night to End Hunger in Fairfield County
10/1 from 6:30-10 pm
The Loading Dock
375 Fairfield Avenue
Stamford, CT
Cupid’s got his pointy heart shaped arrow notched and is ready to strike this year, but maybe a little bit early. See, Shelter for the Homeless in Stamford is helping to put on an awesome fundraiser. What else could you need to woo that girl you’re interested in or make up for something dumb you did than an evening full of chocolate, desserts, and wine? We’re talking instant karma, instant love bucks.
Here are the sweet details:
• 70 different exhibitors • Lots of samples • Door prizes • “The Ultimate Tasting Party” • A Valentine’s Day gift boutiqueThursday, 2/9/2012
6-9 pm
Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa
243 Tresser Boulevard
Stamford, CT 06901
$45 in advance, $50 at the door
Buy your tickets here and help support Shelter for the Homeless.
First ever New Canaan Restaurant Week…with a heart
Über-exciting news today! New Canaan’s Chamber of Commerce has created the first ever New Canaan Restaurant Week. It’ll be from 8/26-9/3/11. That’s already great news for the classic, top-notch restaurants in town, but it’s also great for some of the newcomers. More on that in a sec. What I think sets NCRW aside from others, though, is that it has real heart. Donations will be collected to help The Food Pantry, a very worthy and important cause.
Sarah Bamford had this to explain in a press release:
NCRW begins August 25 with a Taste of Town Stroll from 6-9 p.m. Consumer donations for The Food Pantry, a branch of New Canaan’s Department of Health and Human Services, will be collected at participating locations in exchange for stroll entry maps. Stroll maps will direct attendees to businesses and restaurants where they will receive a map punch for a chance to win one of various $50.00 restaurant gift certificates.
Examples of donations that will grant public admission to the Taste of Town Stroll include: Peanut Butter/Fruit Spreads; Mayonnaise/Cooking Oil/Salad Dressings; Hash/Stew/Chili; Canned Meats/Fish; Hearty Soups with Meat; Coffee and Tea (regular and decaf); Canned Pasta/Sauce; Canned Fruits and Vegetables; Toiletries (Hair Care, Skin Care, Dental Products) and Paper Goods.
The Restaurants
Right now, it seems that there will be around 20 participating restaurants, so it’s clear that New Canaan restaurants are representin’ in major numbers. Two of the confirmed places to try are classics and one will be a newbie, opening up June 20. Tucker Murphy, Executive Director of the NCCC said that she was excited that people will get to try new restaurants and to really enjoy the outdoor dining. Here’s the list:
Cava. Seriously awesome Italian food from same owners of Scena Wine Bar in Darien. Gotta go here. CBS post coming soon with them.
Cherry Street East. Home of CT’s best burger?
Club Sandwich. New place for us. Breakfast and lunch. Classic breakfast, cool and creative sandwiches, salads.
Fifty Coins. Salads, burgers, grilled meat, and other goodies. Haven’t been here yet.
Gates. Euo-Asian food. We’ve been here a few years back and we thought the food was good.
Kouzina. Greek for kitchen, Kouzina is a Greek and Mediterranean spot that we haven’t tried yet.
Pine Social. Launched recently, Pine Social has received rave reviews and is on our radar for places to try.
Plum Tree Japanese Restaurant. We haven’t tried the food here, but it’s always busy and hopping. Outdoor seating.
Roger Sherman Inn. If you’ve never had brunch here, you are pathetic! I had my first ever vichyssoise there and it was just killer. Also, I just love to say it. Vichyssoise.
Thali. Best Indian food we’ve tasted in CT! Here’s the review of their Westport spot.
The Tuscan Osteria Mercato. New Canaan’s newest hot spot! They’re going to have a butcher, too, and people on FB are loving that. Everybody needs a good butcher. Well, not vegs.
As more restaurants are added, we’ll update this. Also, there will be a page up on the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. ;)
All of New Canaan Will Be Involved!
While you’re trying to decide where to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a prix fixe binge, other shops in New Canaan will be providing special deals and samples for you, too. This is truly a community event and should make other restaurant weeks around CT blush. It’s really just truly remarkable to see how New Canaan has come together to not only show how awesome their food and shops are, but to also give back. Updates coming as we get ‘um!
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Restaurant owners and sponsors: please contact Tucker Murphy, Executive Director of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, at tucker@newcanaanchamber.com or phone (203) 966 – 2004.
Dan and Kristien Del Ferraro
OmNomCT 
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