Release Date: Mar 8, 2007
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Summary:
Dayton, Ohio: (February, 2007) Montgomery County MR/DD is holding it popular 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off, a night of total family fun, on Saturday, March 10th from 5pm to 10 in the Coliseum at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds according to Mark Gerhardstein, Superintendant of MR/DD for Montgomery County. The annual Chili Cook-Off helps to fund programs and social activities for people with disabilities that are served by MR/DD.  Gerhardstein  also commented, "This is truly a family social event.  We are having a Jimmy Buffett-type beach theme, which should be a lot of fun for everybody. Last year, we had 25 entrants in the Chili Cook-Off and each entrant made some fantastic chili with their own secret recipes. Our judges for the event are local elected officials as well as the Dayton Daily News ´official local food tasters,' the Lead Belly Boys. This year's event is shaping up to be the best ever."

Past winners include Linda Connell of Centerville who has won the event twice…in 2002 and 2006 with her "Dog-Breath Chili." She served it up in actual dog bowls and it was a big hit. When asked about her secret ingredient, Linda said, "It's love. The rest of the ingredients were just normal things you would put in chili but I think the ´love' helped me to win!"

The Centerville "chili-champ" has been in the competition every year for the past five years and had this to say about her experience in not only winning, but more importantly, the great cause behind the Chili Cook-Off. Linda commented, " Since I have an adult son with disabilities, I enjoy supporting the MR/DD and its programs. MR/DD does so very much for children and adults with special needs.  They have made major improvements over the past few years and you can always count on them for support, for information and for help no matter what. It is a wonderful, caring group of people. I'm not in the competition this year but we are certainly going to attend and have fun."

Another entrant for the past 5 years, and 3rd place finisher last year with his spicy chili, is Jimmy Parizek, the brother of a young lady who receives services from MR/DD.  "We are very active in all of the MR/DD activities," Parizek said. "We really look forward to the Chili Cook-Off every year because it is so much fun. The people at MR/DD are some of the greatest people in the world. They have always been someone we can turn to no matter what the question, problem or situation. I just can't say enough about what they do for the disabled children and adults in Montgomery County. My sister works right in the booth with me and she has a great time."

"The popular event has drawn hundreds of entrants over the past 5 years as well as thousands of hungry visitors ready to try all of the chili recipes," Gerhardstein said.  He also commented, "The cost for admission is $3.00 at the door for adults and children under 10 are free. You get all of the chili you can eat; we'll have music playing; there will be an inflatable play area, games and face painting for the kids as well as other activities for the whole family." This year there will be special menu items for the little ones who may not enjoy chili including a slice of pizza and a cup of ice cream.  Special thanks to our Premier Sponsor Liberty Savings Band and our supporting sponsors Miami Valley Medical, Cici's Pizza and Ritters Frozen Yogurt.

The Board serves children and adults with mental retardation and other significant developmental disabilities, most of whom require comprehensive life-long services.  The Board provides supports for individuals to live learn, work and participate in their community.

For more information on entering your special chili, or for other questions regarding the Chili Cook-Off, contact Tim Pfister, Community Relations Specialist for Montgomery County MR/DD at (937) 837-9253.