Three words: Charity. Chili. Showdown. Anyone who knows me knows I’m always in for fun with food and fundraising! Throw in a little healthy competition, and I’m sold. That’s all I needed to hear when I was asked to be on the guest panel of judges for this exciting event.It’s an Old Town Showdown (hey, that kinda rhymes!), happening March 21 at Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden! From 4pm - 6pm, four local Alexandrian cooks will be competing for the Chili Championship title with all proceeds benefiting Feed It Forward DC. Voting will be conducted by a judge panel (that I’m so excited to be participating on) and the winning chili will be awarded a championship trophy!  What started as a friendly competition in the kitchen between Chad and Jimmy has turned into an awesome showcase of local Alexandria chefs! When the idea to expand this competition into a larger cook-off event came, it just made sense to bring Feed It Forward DC into the mix. They are a non-profit 501(c)3 that promotes social responsibility in the community, focusing on the youth and homeless of D.C. The organization provides haircuts, lunches, toiletry kits, school supplies, and other needs to the homeless and underprivileged youth in the community. Feed It Forward DC’s very own founder will be competing in the competition on Sunday.  So, who’s competing for this coveted championship title?

• • Chad Sparrow from Common Plate Hospitality
• • Noe Landini from Landini Brothers
• • Jimmy Lee from Feed It Forward DC
• • Melvin Urrutia from The Handover

The $45 entrance ticket includes a tasting of each competing chili and the following:

• • Cray-Cray-Cran Cocktail
• • Irish Mule
• • Classic Mussels
• • Pretzels & Beer Cheese Sauce
• • Wings

Augie’s and Feed It Forward have set a goal to raise $10,000 with this event. For tickets, follow this link to the Old Town Chili Showdown ticket page. Or donate to the event through the Feed It Forward DC event donation page. If you’re a fan of friendly competition in the name of fundraising for charity, I hope to see you there! This event is going to be ‘hot hot hot’ and I can’t wait to try these chili recipes from the chefs of my Old Town favorites. Will I see you there?