By Josh Spickler

It’s winter, and I’ll admit that my family doesn’t get out and about nearly enough this time of year. But if there’s one thing that will get us bundled up and headed for the door it’s beans. More specifically, beans prepared in a stew-like fashion with a red chili powder base often featuring ground or shredded meat. We’re talking chili! Luckily for us, and the rest of Midtown Memphis, it’s almost time for the Fourth Annual Cooper-Young/Peabody Elementary Chili Cook-Off. On Saturday, March 5, from noon-2pm, we’ll be throwing open the doors to the Peabody Elementary cafeteria, and there will be one item on the menu: chili (and maybe some crackers, if you’re good).

Who will have the best chili in Midtown according to our distinguished panel of highly-trained judges? Who will extort, I mean raise the most cash and take home the coveted People’s Choice Award? Be there on March 5 and find out. We’ll also have awards for the Best Hot, Best Vegetarian, and Most Unusual chili. And new this year in honor of Peabody’s 100th birthday, Best Alumni chili (that is chili prepared by Peabody alumni, not chili that attended the school). So, if you went to Peabody Elementary, get your best recipe ready, call up some classmates, and throw down the chili gauntlet. Peabody pride and a sweet, custom apron are at stake.

Register now at cooperyoung.org. The cost is $20 per team, but the potential for chili glory is unlimited. The contest is restricted to an elite field of 25 teams, so register early. For those who just want to eat the delicious, beany goodness, five bucks at the door gets you five generous tastings and a drink. That’s a deal you’re not going to beat on March 5 from noon-2pm. Of course, since all proceeds go to the beautification of the schoolyard and the neighborhood beyond, feel free to buy more than one ticket. Plus, the Peabody Elementary classroom with the best attendance at the cook-off wins a pizza party! There’s something for everyone. But mostly there will be warm, delicious chili served up for a good cause right in your neighborhood. At four years old, it’s practically a tradition! Don’t miss it.

What: Cooper-Young/Peabody Elementary Chili Cook Off
When: March 5, noon-2pm
Where: Peabody Elementary Cafeteria, 2086 Young Avenue
To Cook: $20 registration fee – limited to the first 25 teams, register at cooperyoung.org.
To Eat: $5 for five tastings and a drink. Tickets sold at the door.

By Emily Bishop

The 3rd Annual Cooper-Young/Peabody School Chili Cook-Off was a huge success, raising almost $1,800 (twice the amount of last year) for improvements to the community playground at Peabody School and bringing around 300 people to the Peabody cafeteria on February 27th.

Most Unusual Chili – Rene Erickson and the Midtown Chili Bombers

Judge’s Choice – Rene Erickson and the Midtown Chili Bombers

People’s Choice – John Shoemaker of Houghton Mifflin Publishers for his “Textbook Chili.”

Best Vegetarian Chili – Nicole Hogan, a Felix resident and Peabody parent

Best HOT Chili – Mrs. Berryman and the Peabody Cooking Club

For the second year in a row, the block club with the most participation at the chili cook-off was Nelson Avenue (Cooper to Barksdale), and Ms. Magbee’s first grade class won a pizza party for having the most Peabody students represented.

Special thanks goes to the “celebrity” judges, Neisey Bobo, Peabody parent and owner of Ching’s Wings, Craig Blondis, future Peabody parent and owner of Central BBQ, and Kym Clark, midtown resident and Action News 5 anchor.