No cooks mean no Lake Zurich chili cook-off Saturday
Just one missing ingredient forced organizers to scrap a chili cook-off that was set for Saturday in Lake Zurich.
With not one contestant registered as of last week, organizers decided to pull the plug on the Barn Burnin' Chili Cook Off at Paulus Park, Lake Zurich Recreation Manager Bonnie Caputo said Friday.
Plans had called for proceeds from the chili competition to benefit Palatine-based Young at Heart Pet Rescue, which helps older animals find homes. Caputo said it's possible the chili competition will be rescheduled later this year.
Caputo said the village and Young at Heart Pet Rescue promoted the cook-off.
She was it was disappointing no contestants entered.
"You put a lot of time and effort into these events," Caputo said.
Organizers had reason to be optimistic there would be a crowd for the Barn Burnin' Chili Cook Off. It was revived last October after a six-year hiatus and attracted 15 participants, who cooked under the rules of the Chili Appreciation Society International.
Chili cooks 18 and older would have been eligible if the competition went off as scheduled Saturday. The entry fee was $20 for cooks, with tastings for $3 after the entries became available to the public at 2 p.m.
Young at Heart Pet Rescue founder and Executive Director Dawn Kemper couldn't be reached for comment.