It's not just the weather that's heating up.
This week, 40 teams will be hard at work brewing up bowls of their finest chili and slicing veggies for their carefully concocted blends of fresh salsa in hopes of beating out all the others for bragging rights at the 15th annual Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off, Salsa and Beer Tasting on Saturday, May 12.
The annual cookoff will feature a total of 62 chilis and salsas for the public to sample. Individuals, service organizations, businesses and restaurants/caterers will compete in their own categories for The People's Choice and the coveted VIP Judges Awards for meat and vegetarian chili and traditional and fruit salsas. There will also be 15 breweries on hand competing to be crowd favorites.
The best part is that all the fun is in support of Cinnabar Theater's Young Rep program.
"We raise about $25,000 from ticket sales," said event organizer and Chili Empress Laura Sunday. "We are given a $17,500 matching challenge grant, and if we meet that, it brings in another $34,000. We're about $5,000 short of our goal, so we're running a silent auction at the event with some great prizes, such as a wedding photography package, Infineon Raceway tickets, winery tours and restaurant certificates."
The chili challengers, many of whom participate every year, come from Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Novato, and as far away as Santa Cruz, Burlingame and Napa.
"We invited artists and art students from all over Sonoma County to create the winner's trophies this year," said Sunday. "They are all unique, whimsical and creative, with a southwestern theme."
In addition to the chili and salsa, local breweries will be providing samples and competing for People's Choice awards for best beer. In case anyone needs a break from the beans and jalape?s, there will also be live music and entertainment.
The 15th Annual Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off, Salsa and Beer Tasting fires up from 1 to 5 p.m. May 12 in Herzog Hall at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.
Tickets are $25 for chili and salsa tasting, $40 for chili, salsa and beer tasting and $10 for kids under 12. Admission is free for children under 5. The event benefits Cinnabar Theater's Young Repertory Company.
For more information and tickets, visit www.greatchilicookoff.com or call 763-8920.
(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieber ich@arguscourier.com)
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