Before a touchdown, chow down at Greek Chili Cook-off

By Corinna Christman

For the Daily

While students on campus will be firing up for the big game against Michigan State University this weekend, seven Greek houses, various businesses around the area and any other students interested in a good cause will collaborate to have a good time, eat some chili and raise money for charity.

While walking to the game, all students, alumni, family and friends are invited to partake of seven different chilis from seven different Greek houses, including Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Psi, Delta Gamma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon and Gamma Phi Beta. This event is located at Elbel Field (on the corner of Division and Hill) and will be taking place from 1 to 4 p.m.

The event costs $2, which includes a taste of each chili as well as a full bowl of the one that wins your top vote. The Greek house with the most votes and the most house members attending will be named the cook-off champions. All profits go to the Ann Arbor YMCA Camping Services and Camp Heartland.

Besides eating more chili then you could ever desire, participating in this event also enters you in the raffle for a chance to win gift certificates from area businesses such as Bivouac's and Stucchi's. Many other businesses around town are participating. Brueggers Bagels is donating 38 dozen bagels and Great Bread Harvest is donating 40 loaves of bread, as well as a ton of nachos. This food will be in addition to the chili already provided. Besides this, there are at least 20 other businesses from around Ann Arbor supporting this cause.

Although food, raffles and competition are fun, the main reason this event should attract many people is because of the worthy cause. The Ann Arbor YMCA Camping services are dedicated to providing scholarships so that underprivileged children have the opportunity to attend summer camp. Camp Heartland is dedicated to helping children infected or affected by HIV/ AIDS. The camp provides recreational opportunities, support and education for these children. Both of these are worthy causes, and the whole event is expected to raise around $3,000.

This all depends on how much support the event receives. The real success of the cook-off is measured by how many students choose to be a part of it. Everyone attending the game has the chance to participate and make this event really wonderful. What could be better than enjoying some great, cheap food and helping children in need?

If you're going to the game on Saturday, there is no excuse for not stopping by on the way there to sample some great food and put a smile on children's faces.

Chi Psi chili recipe:

4 20 lb ground beef

4 3 tbs garlic

4 salt to taste

4 3 tsp pepper

4 2 lbs chili pepper

4 5 lbs flour

4 5 gallons beef paste and water

4 2 qts beer

4 optional hot pepper

Mix ingredients and cook in a giant pot of chili love.

-by Cook Jerome Ratchey

Lambda Chi Alpha chili recipe:

(makes 1 gallon)

4 2 cans kidney beans

4 2 cans tomato paste

4 2 lbs of ground beef

4 1/2 onion

4 1 garlic clove

4 chilli powder, salt, pepper

The chili powder, salt and pepper will be added to taste. The rule with the chili powder is to cover the top with it, stir it in and taste it.

-invented by Lambda Chi Alpha