Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Chili Cook-Off bringing top Jersey EMS cooks to Toms River

They're going to give chili a good name.

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen seventh annual Chili Cook-Off is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River, located on 1769 Hooper Ave. The event features chili prepared by area first responders, and Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea Bongiovi are usually unannounced judges.

“Our Chili Cook-Off is a great yearly event that everyone loves and looks forward to,” said Lou Morreale, general manager of the Soul Kitchen restaurants in Toms River and Red Bank in a statement. “The competition is fierce, and the victory is sweet! Not to mention, the Chili chef first responders that compete are super creative with their take on chili!”

At the Soul Kitchen restaurants, diners can either pay a minimum of $20 for a three-course meal, which goes toward the cost of meals for non-paying diners. Those who can't pay are invited to dine and learn about ways to volunteer at the restaurants. The Toms River Soul Kitchen is located in the B.E.A.T. Center at 1769 Hooper Ave., which also houses a branch of Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the Peoples Pantry, and other community organizations.

Attendees on Sunday can taste all the chili entries and vote for their favorite for a $20 donation. There will also be seasonal appetizers by executive chef Rob Wood, and children's activities, too.

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“It is an opportunity for everyone attending to be part of something bigger than themselves,” said Joanne Gwin, community coordinator of JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River, in a statement. “Everyone attending the event pays it forward with their entrance fee, and each ‘pay it forward’ provides a meal for someone in the community who is facing food insecurity.”

The Fulfill People’s Pantry will be hosting a Holiday Wish List food drive during the Chili Cook-Off. They are asking attendees to bring non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables, boxed potatoes and stuffing, spices, baking items and mixes, as well as manual can openers.

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The Chili Cook-Off participants include Lanoka Harbor EMS; Melrose Hose Company/Sayreville Fire Department; New Jersey State Police-Holmdel; Ocean County Sheriffs PBA Local 379; President Park Fire Co/Sayreville Fire Department; Sayreville Engine Co No. 1/Sayreville Fire Department; Sayreville Police Department; Six Flags EMS; and Toms River Fire Co No. 1.

Visit jbjsoulkitchen.org/chili-cook-off-2022 for more info or email joanne@jbjsoulkitchen.org if your local emergency unit wishes to participate.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers music and entertainment for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Chili Cook-Off set for Toms River NJ