Chili Cook-Off: Sunday Feb 21, 2010

Celebrate Winter with a Chili Cook-Off

Residents and Restaurants Compete for the Title of “Best Chili in Chilltown”
Sunday, February 21, 2010 @ Parlay Studios 161 2nd Street, Downtown Jersey City

(Jersey City, NJ—February 2010)—What’s better in winter than a big ‘ole bowl of steaming hot chili? A whole TON of chili, that’s what! On Sunday, February 21, 2010, 4th Street Arts is heating up the community with a Chili Cook-Off, featuring more than 10 chefs who will be practicing their hand at one of America’s most beloved spicy dishes. The event will take place at the newly opened Parlay Studios, 161 2nd Street (at Provost) in downtown Jersey City, NJ. Doors open at 2 pm, with judging starting around 4 pm, and wrapping at 6 pm. Proceeds to benefit the 4th Street Arts & Music Festival, taking place on October 2, 2010.

Similarly to last year’s tasty and wildly successful 4th Street Arts Mac & Cheese Bake-Off, the Chili Cook-Off will be a multi-layered event with competitors in two categories: area restaurants ($50 to enter) or individual, chili aficionados ($20 to enter). The two categories will be judged separately:

1) by a panel of “celebrity” judges, including Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop, Pete Genovese of the Star Ledger, Michelle Weber of NEW Magazine and The Jersey City Independent, and Program Coordinator at the Jersey City Museum Brendan Carroll; and

2) via general popular vote. Attendees will pay a nominal $5 fee to taste the various spicy concoctions and vote on their favorite ones. Winners in the restaurant category will receive free ad space in NEW Magazine, Jersey City’s guide to culture, lifestyle, and the arts, as well as other surprises. Individual chefs will receive a free year-long membership to the Jersey City Museum, in addition to fun bonuses.

Other features for the event include:

• Mission:Remission—The not for profit organization dedicated to cancer research and awareness will have a table selling grub and art works in support of their cause.
• Not Yo Mama’s Affairs—This local production group will have corn bread and other related treats for sale to promote the upcoming Not Yo Mama’s Craft Fair, taking place at Parlay Studios on April 17. Music and More—Chill tunes to be spun by DJ Chuck Daly and more!

Special thanks to the Jersey City Museum and NEW Magazine for providing prizes for the winners. Thank you also to Sam Adams for donating beer for the event. This year, Sam Adams celebrates their 25th Anniversary in producing fine American brew.

About 4th Street Arts: 4th Street Arts is a local organization that hosts a variety of neighborhood events in support of the annual 4th Street Arts & Music Festival and 4th Street Arts Fund. The Festival is an annual event, held in tandem with the Artists’ Studio Tour in Downtown Jersey City, designed to celebrate the area’s creative community. This open forum allows residents to gather to view the latest works of the city’s finest artists and artisans and listen to up-and-coming bands while learning more about what the thriving localarts public has to offer. The Festival truly brings the neighborhood together and provides unprecedented exposure for businesses and artists alike. The 4th Street Arts Fund benefits a local child or youth group related to arts or music.

About Parlay Studios: Located minutes from the Grove Street Path station in downtown Jersey City, Parlay Studios is a brand new space that doubles as a photography and film studio and a massive event venue. At 13,000 square feet, Parlay is the perfect canvas for a variety of needs. For more information, visit parlaystudios.com.