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Boardman church chili event tradition continues
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Don Hernan, the husband of the Memorial Cook-Off's namesake, the late Sue Hernan, says that he continues to be thankful for support from the community for the chili event. Hernan offered his own recipe on Jan. 29, with a little help serving from nephew Ben Gregory (left).
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman United Methodist Church's second-annual Sue Hernan Memorial Chili Cook-off was definitely a family affair. Bill Kilar (left), Sue Kilar, little Dylan Davis, and Renee Davis enjoyed their chili together during the Jan. 29 event.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Talishiya Mitchell (left) and her son Tacobie took home a third-place prize at the Jan. 29 Chili Cook-Off with their deceptively spicy white chicken chili. Mitchell said she entered the competition because it looked like a fun event to enjoy with her son.
By SARAH FOOR
A year ago, the annual Chili Cook-Off at Boardman United Methodist Church, a 10-year tradition, earned a new name. After losing church member, missions coordinator and cook-off organizer Sue Hernan in an unfortunate accident in August 2011, the event was renamed in her honor.
On Jan. 29, the second annual Sue Hernan Memorial Chili Cook-Off kicked off at the church and showed no signs of slowing down.
Event coordinator Cathy Pokrivnak said Hernan’s positive spirit still permeates the event even a year after the tragedy.
“This event really was Sue’s baby when she was still with us, so it’s really wonderful to see that the response continues to grow. Our contestants have increased from 18 last year to 20, and we have an amazing array of different chilies, from white to red and mild to spicy,” Pokrivnak said.
The event acts as a fundraiser for the church’s mission trips. With their funds, missionaries will visit Kensington, Ohio, to assist with a farmhouse building project, and in the spring, travel to Joplin, Mo., to assist those still suffering from the devastation of last year’s tornado.
For the cooks at the event, handing out their chili masterpieces for tasting was much like offering family tradition in a bowl.
Talishiya Mitchell cooked with her son, Tacobie, and took home a third-place prize.
“Chili is my favorite thing to cook and Tacobie and I have perfected this recipe. My son says he wants to be a chef when he grows up, so this competition has been a really wonderful thing to do together. I think the love definitely comes through in the taste,” Mitchell said.
Nine-year-old Tyler Miller was the youngest participant in the competition and he manned his station with his mom, Anita, and younger brother, Kyle.
“This is the first time I’ve ever cooked chili, but I had lots of fun. I want to cook more and be part of next year’s cook-off, too,” Tyler Miller said.
Chili cook Lori Fantone earned the top prize at the event, while Dale Hawkins took runner-up, with Mitchell and her son earning third-place.
The event raised $1,100 for future missions trips.