The Hamilton Rotary Club combined community service with a flavorful event at their first-ever chili competition on Sunday, Feb. 22. Hosted at the Colgate Inn, the fundraiser invited attendees to enjoy chili made by local restaurants in exchange for optional donations to the Rotary’s partnering charities.
The Hamilton Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a global network dedicated to fighting global issues such as environmental protection, education and disease prevention. The Hamilton chapter’s goals and initiatives align with those of the broader organization and embody Rotary’s motto: “Service Above Self.”
In search of a creative way to raise funds for local charities while also showcasing local restaurants, the Hamilton Rotary worked as a team to organize the competition.
Hamilton Rotary President John Bailey highlighted the event’s community-building character.
“It’s a win-win, the community has a good time, and we raise money,” Bailey said. “It couldn’t be better.”
In addition to philanthropy, Rotary Secretary Collette Pretre said the organization brings neighbors together.
“We may learn about an incoming business, a skill someone has, or an adventure that a member went on,” Pretre said. “It’s a really great opportunity to talk with people and learn about things in the community.”
At the chili tasting, 13 local restaurants were featured, including the Copper Cricket, Ray Brothers BBQ, Brine & Stave and more. As part of the competition, a blind tasting was held, with the restaurant responsible for each chili concealed. In exchange for donating, attendees were given a plastic chili pepper, which they placed in their favorite chili’s ballot box.
“We wanted a true ‘who has the best chili,’ instead of it being about popularity or someone’s favorite restaurant,” Pretre said. “It gives restaurants an even playing field.”
For Hamilton resident Clare Howard, her favorite of the evening was the vegan chili from Bolzy’s.
“I don’t eat meat, and I don’t eat dairy, and I think it’s wonderful that they prepared a vegan chili for people like me,” Howard said.
Colgate University first-year Sarah Chirchick also enjoyed Bolzy’s vegan-friendly chili.
“I’m really glad to see some representation and some vegan options at this shindig, especially because I feel like there are not a lot of vegetarian or vegan options in the area,” Chirchick said.
For first-year Zoe Hort, the winner was Huff Brau’s chili with tradition.
“Although it’s a little bit more watery than the others, it has all the spices you need,” Hort said. “I feel like the other ones are trying to add another level to it, but they kept it original, and I respect it.”
Above all else, the event’s opportunity to meet other community members stood out for new resident David Howard.
“We are relatively new to the community, and we like opportunities to meet people who are like-minded and give their time and effort to better the community,” Howard said. “It allows us to show our face and see new faces of people that we would like to do things with.”
With the crock pots empty and the votes tallied, Ray Brothers BBQ was announced as the winner of the evening. With a smoky, sweet flavor profile, this unique chili blew attendees away.
Head Chef Cody Jipson explained what sets Ray Brothers’ chili apart.
“There are a good amount of different proteins in there,” Jipson said. “There are a couple secret ingredients that are kind of weird for chili, but I feel like it works pretty well.”
The Rotary has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Colgate Inn. Each Thursday, Rotarians eat at the Inn for lunch while guest speakers present, usually on a local nonprofit and its critical needs.
Kendra Young is the Inn’s general manager as well as a member of the Rotary’s community engagement committee.
“The Colgate Inn enjoys being able to support community events of all different kinds, so it was a natural fit,” Young said. “We have the space, we are central in the village and have good parking, so it was a no-brainer.”
Over the years, the Rotary has been able to donate to organizations such as the subsidized senior housing community Madison Lane, Hamilton Central School for multiple programs and two scholarships and a small school in rural Uganda that constructed a rainwater catchment tank.
For Young, the Rotary’s most meaningful philanthropic focus is addressing food insecurity.
“A few of my personal favorites have been the fundraising efforts to support food insecurity in our area,” Young said. “We’ll pack up Christmas bags with different hot meals and breakfast and take them to the residents at Madison Lane.”
In addition to fundraising, the Rotary participates in a number of different community events such as the Night of Lights in December, an Easter Egg Hunt and the Fourth of July Parade.
“While this is a fundraiser, we really like to focus on events in the community where it does not cost anything,” Pretre said. “That way, everybody can come and not worry about how much it will cost for their child to find an Easter egg or sit on Santa’s lap. We rely on the generosity of all our members because all of these events do not happen without them using their gifts and skills to make it happen.”
