Recipes for success: JHU Chili Cook-off

(All photos by Will Kirk, Homewoodphoto.jhu.edu)

The competition just keeps getting hotter. This year’s Chili Cook-Off and Bake-Off—an annual Homewood campus fund-raiser for the United Way of Central Maryland and the Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund—drew 12 entries in the chili category and a record 13 in the baked goods taste-off.

For $5, the Nov. 13 lunchtime crowd got to sample the contenders and purchase a meal of chili, cornbread, dessert and a beverage, raising a total of $1,060.

Prizes went to first-, second- and third-place winners selected by judges and for “people’s choice” as voted on by the spectators.

Laurie Forand’s Beef Chili was a double winner, getting the top nod from both the judges and the crowd. Second-place honors went to Kate Felder and Sheila Wells for their Tuxedo Chili and third place to Lisa Wetzelberger for her White Chicken Chili.

Chris Swift’s Bourbon Pecan Tart with Chocolate Drizzle took first place in desserts and Lisa Sanders’ Coconut Cream Pie with Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust, second place. D. Lynn O’Neil’s Kahlua Cake won third place and also the people’s choice award.

As of press time, Johns Hopkins had raised more than $1.75 million for the United Way and Neighborhood Fund—85 percent of the $2,060,000 goal—but donations are still needed to help assist community members in desperate need.

The campaign officially ends on Dec. 18. Donations can be made online at www  .jhu.edu/unitedway or with a paper form by contacting Jeff Pratt at unitedway@jhu.edu or 410-516-6060.

This week, the Homewood campus continues its campaign fund raising with Brown Bag Bingo. The event, sponsored by Homewood Student Affairs, will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, in the Glass Pavilion.