Dear Editor:
On Sunday, March 1, Hoboken Volunteers hosted our 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off & Homebrewing Contest. Almost 400 patrons filled the Our Lady of Grace gymnasium at 422 Willow Avenue in Hoboken, NJ to get a taste of the best chili and beer in town. With live music from Hoboken’s Gravy Train as the soundtrack, community spirit rose through the roof, and keeps on rising—we raised $12,000 for In Jesus’ Name Charities interfaith food pantry!
We’d like to thank everyone involved: all of our volunteers, guests, sponsors, judges and contestants! This year’s sponsors included The Rockefeller Group, 902 Brewing, Don’t Sit Home, Hoboken Grace, Hoboken Ben & Jerry’s, Tony Soares, Inserra ShopRite, and hMag. We’d also like to thank Father Alex Santora and Our Lady of Grace for allowing us to use their gymnasium to host our event.
A special thank you to all of the local businesses who donated towards the prizes for the chili and homebrews, including The Shannon, Hotel Victor Bar & Grill, Dino & Harry’s, Hoboken Wellness Spa, Jimmy John’s Hoboken, Glennmade Confections, Green Rock Tap & Grill, Jack’s Cabin, Anthony David’s, Bin 14, Leo’s Grandevous, Tally-Ho Saloon, Interior Motif, Fleet Feet, CKO Kickboxing, McSwiggan’s Pub, Finnegan’s Pub, Willie McBride’s, Thirsty Quaker, and everyone else who donated.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! Each 1st Place Contestant received a Championship Trophy donated by Freeholder Anthony L. Romano.
Best Judged Chili Winners:
1st Place – Murphy’s Irish Chili
2nd Place Tie – Sweet P’s Chili & Smoink Brothers
Fan Favorite: Mary’s Bloody Mary Chili
Best Judged Beer Winners:
1st Place – Giant and the Ginger
2nd Place – Simply Beer
3rd Place – DIE Brewing
Fan Favorite: Beardman Brewing
Thank you to our judges, Big Brother 13 contestant Adam Poch, Hoboken resident and former Hoboken Volunteers chili champion Abbey Bell, and Hell’s Kitchen Season 13 executive chef and contestant, Frank Bilotti. We especially thank 902 Brewing and Don’t Sit Home for organizing the judging and promoting the event.
We eagerly look forward to next year’s event! Stay in touch with Hoboken Volunteers by signing up for our newsletter at: www.hobokenvolunteers.com
Sincerely,
Tim Occhipinti
Founder, Hoboken Volunteers