Upcoming Events

The 12 samples are from the competing chili recipes for the 2024 City Star Chili Cook-Off. The cook-off this year will be March 27. (Courtesy photo)

By Shelley Widhalm

The Surveyor

City Star Brewing is home this winter to three chili cook-offs in keeping with the tradition of combining good food with friendly competition and supporting charitable causes.

“It’s a good excuse to get together and raise some funds for a good cause,” said Whitney Way, owner of City Star Brewing, 321 Mountain Ave. “When it’s cold outside, chili is a warm, comforting option. People get very passionate about their chili recipes.”

The three cook-offs will be in City Star’s taproom, the Zoller Barrel House, which can be reserved for free for parties, personal gatherings, benefits and other public events. The Barrel House is in a separate room with extra space and long tables, plus there are several outlets, necessary for bringing in lots of Crock-Pots.

“Every year, these three chili cook-offs happen at City Star,” Way said. “They know these spaces are set up well.”

First in the lineup is the Berthoud Veterans Club Presents Chili Cook-Off at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20. The sixth annual event will be headed up by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 67 and sponsored by American Legion Post 67, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12189 and VFW Auxiliary Unit 12189, all of which are part of the Berthoud Veterans Club.

“We use it for comradery amongst not only the veterans in the club, but among all veterans,” said Carly Stephen, president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 67.

Veterans and community members can enter their chili for free to compete for prizes for the top three recipes. Those wanting to judge are asked to pay a $1 donation per tasting or $10 for 12, and they usually have 15 to 20 options.

“Chili is probably one of the most popular cook-offs because everyone has their own take or spin on it when it’s red, green or white chili,” Stephen said. “We make it lighthearted and fun. It’s a good time at City Star. They always can have a beer while they have their chili.”

The second chili cook-off is the seventh annual Colorado Facial Hair Chili Cook-Off, which will be 5-7 p.m. Feb. 22 and is a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The event is hosted by Sean Clark, a member of the Rocky Mountain Beard and Mustache Club, which has 63 coin-holding members.

The encouraged donation to taste and rank chili entries is $5. Tasters will get a judging slip to determine the best red, green and hottest and the best overall chili recipes. Typically, there are 10 to 13 entries submitted by members of the different facial clubs in Colorado from the Denver and Northern Colorado areas.

“We’re very generous people. We’re a fun-loving group of people,” said Clark, who started the event to honor his brother, who succumbed to Muscular Dystrophy 30 years ago. “It’s a good family event of hanging out with people who like chili and are facial hair supporters. It’s just a good hang-out time.”

The final cook-off is the seventh annual City Star Chili Cook-Off and will be from 5-8 p.m. March 27 to benefit RAFT, Rural Alternative for Transportation. The cost is $20 a ticket to be able to taste and vote for the Best Chili in Berthoud.

“That particular chili cook-off, we take more of an organizational role to determine the Best Chili in Berthoud,” Way said.

Each year, there are more than 12 chili entries by local businesses and community members for the cook-off. The winner last year was Rise Artisan Bread Bakery & Café in Berthoud.

Annie DeCoteau, co-owner of Rise Artisan Bread Bakery & Café, was the 2024 winner of the City Star Chili Cook-Off. This year’s event will be March 27, plus there will be two more chili cook-offs in February at City Star Brewing. (Courtesy photo)

“It’s usually a mix of chilis, white, green and red chili,” Way said. “It’s fun for residents and businesses to showcase their culinary skills.”

City Star donates $1 per beer sold to the City Star Chili Cook-Off to raise additional funds for RAFT, which provides transportation for adults living in rural Berthoud who are 60 years and older or have disabilities.

“It’s a fun event to showcase some of our other local businesses as well,” Way said.