WICKER PARK — It's only October but one local alderman wants people to start thinking about warm winter coats and chili, specifically one Sunday in November in the parking lot of a Division Street bar and restaurant.
Scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, November 3 at Moonshine's parking lot at 1824 W. Division St., the Wicker Park Chili Cook-Off promises to put "Chicago's greatest chili recipes" to the ultimate test while also gathering winter coats through a coat drive sponsored by Ald. Joe Moreno (1st).
Heading into its fifth year, the cook-off will pit 16 pro and amateur cooks against each other as they compete for top cash prizes of $600 (1st place), $300 (2nd place) and $150 (3rd place).
The winner will be determined by a public vote and the first place finisher will walk away with the "Gilded Ladle" trophy and bragging rights.
Additionally, the winter coat drive will give attendees a $5 discount on admission, which grants patrons all the chili they can eat until the pots run dry.
To help "extinguish that chili heat," Moonshine will feature domestic beer specials served in stadium cups and buckets. The bar will be broadcasting "coast-to-coast NFL action" all day on big screen televisions, according to organizers.
Those interested in competing should contact Greg Bauer via email with any questions. For photos from a previous cook-off, click here.
Wicker Park Chili Cook-Off, 1 p.m. to 6 pm. on Nov. 3 at Moonshine, 1824 W. Division St. in Wicker Park. Tickets are $10 in advance online (can be purchased online at Ticketweb.com), or $15 at the door.
