North Country Chili Cook-off to celebrate 25th anniversary

Feb. 5—WATERTOWN — The Volunteer Transportation Center will mark the 25th anniversary of its Annual North Country Chili Cook-Off starting this week with a hybrid format that promotes participation among local restaurants and ending with an in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building.

"We're excited to once again pair the restaurant-to-restaurant format for the cook-off with our big in-person event the community has come to know and love," said Jeremiah S. Papineau, VTC director of communications and foundation director. "We merged the formats last year and it went very well."

The North Country Chili Cook-Off had historically been a one-day event at the Dulles State Office Building, held on the first Saturday in February.

However, the event was held in a modified format in 2021 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The "pub crawl" format focused on hosting a month-long competition among participating restaurants and businesses in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties throughout February.

This year, more than 30 locations are participating once again in an abbreviated format through Wednesday, Feb. 21, leading up to the in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building on Saturday, Feb. 24.

"We're overwhelmed by the participation from our local restaurants," Mr. Papineau said. "We've continued to see it grow and grow, and it's gratifying to see how enthusiasm has grown for it, too. We love being able to shine a spotlight on local business."

The cook-off's pub crawl format will again involve participating restaurants and businesses making available samples of their chili entries during regular hours of operation, with the public able to vote for their favorites.

The following area restaurants have signed up to compete:

—Spookhill Bar & Grill, 12139 U.S. Route 11, Adams Center

—The Dockside Pub, 11 Market St., Alexandria Bay

—JRECK Subs, 210 State St., Carthage

—The Church Street Diner, 107 Church St., Carthage

—Highmarket Inn, 4441 Highmarket Road, Constableville

—The Cottage Inn, 9794 State Route 12, Copenhagen

—Silver Leaf Diner, 3231 U.S. Route 11, DeKalb Junction

—Meme's Diner, 31606 State Route 3, Felts Mills

—L.E.A.'s Diner, 90 State St., Heuvelton

—JRECK Subs, 7596 S. State St., Lowville

—Lloyd's of Lowville, 7405 Utica Blvd, Lowville

—munch., 7570 South State St., Lowville

—Ella's On The Bay, 209 Main St., Morristown

—Smuggler's Café, 54 East River St., Ogdensburg

—Hoof & Horn Butcher and Eatery, 32 Market St., Potsdam

—Saint Larry's Bar and Grill, 6 Elm St., Potsdam

—Nu Pier Restaurant, 13212 State Route 3, Sackets Harbor

—The Battlefield Eatery, 213 West Main St., Sackets Harbor

—The Sandwich Bar, 113 West Main St., Sackets Harbor

—Tavern230, 4173 West Road, Turin

—Empire Square, 65 Public Square, Watertown

—Garland City Beer Works, 321 Howk St., Watertown

—Johnny D's, 1 Public Square, Watertown

—JRECK Subs, 1201 Arsenal St., Watertown

—JRECK Subs, 605 State St., Watertown

—JRECK Subs, 525 Mill St., Watertown

—Panera Bread, 21872 Towne Center Drive, Watertown

—Pete's Trattoria, 111 Breen Ave., Watertown

—The Grille at Hilton Garden Inn, 1290 Arsenal St., Watertown

—Hall Pass Tavern, 19 Bridge St., West Carthage

—Jose O'Connor's, 15 Bridge St., West Carthage

Those wanting to cast votes will be able to do so in person by paper ballot or online through the VTC website. The entry with the most votes will receive a plaque denoting it the winner of the People's Choice Award for the tri-county competition.

In addition, participating locations will again be able to compete for the Top Fundraiser Award by collecting donations for the Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation.

The participating team with the highest amount raised will receive this special recognition. Winners of both awards will be recognized at the in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building on Feb. 24.

"We're once again looking forward to the return of our in-person portion of this event, which features amateur and professional chefs competing for top bragging rights," Mr. Papineau said. "We've got even more participants than last year, which is extremely encouraging, especially as we mark our 25th year."

The in-person competition on Feb. 24 begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. when awards will be presented. Each entry at the in-person event will be scored by a panel of local judges, with winners taking home plaques and cash prizes.

Attendees will be able to sample chili from each participant.

Admission will be $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 years and younger. A family pass admission will be available for $15.

This event is supported by Operation Yellow Ribbon, a volunteer-based committee that promotes visible signs of support for soldiers and families. Therefore, military ID holders will receive a discount on admission.

"We're looking forward to being back once again at the Dulles State Office Building," said VTC Executive Director Sam Purington. "It was great to bring this family-friendly event back in person last year, especially since it's for a great cause."

Proceeds of the North Country Chili Cook-Off will benefit the Volunteer Transportation Center, which provides essential rides to health care appointments, grocery shopping, and other destinations for residents with no transportation alternatives.

Funds raised through the cook-off are earmarked to provide transportation to veterans and their family members, which make up roughly one-third of those transported by volunteer drivers through the VTC.

For more information about the 25th Annual North Country Chili Cook-Off, contact Papineau at 315-303-2590 or via email at jeremiah@volunteertransportation.org.

Additional information is available online at www.volunteertransportationcenter.org/chili-cook-off.