On Sept. 30, 2018, members of the Palmer (Alaska) Church took a break from cooking supper and headed to the Amazing Grace Academy gymnasium to support the recently revamped Pioneer Peak Pathfinder and Pioneer Puddle-Jumpers Adventurer clubs in a fun and tasty event: the second annual chili cook-off and bake sale.
More than 60 people, both members and friends, filed into the gym. The Pathfinders and Adventurers had transformed the large space with fall-themed centerpieces and decorations. The Pathfinders grinned proudly behind a bake sale table featuring Texas sheet cake, cookies and cakes.
Conversation hummed in the air and — best of all — a long row of tables on the back wall boasted 10 crockpots filled with hot vegetarian chili. Katie Arndt, Adventurers leader, explained the voting process to the crowd: Each person was to taste all 10 chilis in numbered cups and then place a ticket in the jar that corresponded to the number of their favorite chili. This process would select the winner of the People’s Choice award. A table of judges would choose the first-, second- and third-place chilis.
For the better part of an hour, guests tasted chili and discussed the highlights of each with friends. All were flavorful and filled with perfectly cooked beans, vegetables and different spices. One had a really spicy, smoky chipotle flair.
Thankfully the Pathfinders and Adventurers had placed colorful cups of mints alongside each plate. They were the perfect cooling companions for a spicy spoonful of chili. Spicy or not, all 10 chilis proved you don’t need meat to create a fantastic and filling chili.
After voting for their favorite chili and perusing the bake sale table, guests filled their bowls with the chili they liked best, which they enjoyed along with salad and homemade cornbread — and, of course, bake-sale treats. At the end of the evening, Amazing Grace Academy teacher Rick Jordan took the microphone to announce the winners of the cook-off. Each winner took home a fall-themed trophy and warm congratulations from all who attended.
The Palmer Church community looks forward to supporting their Pathfinders and Adventurers groups throughout the year. Many are already combing through chili recipes in preparation to enter the chili cook-off next fall. Even more are looking forward to partaking of tangy, hearty spoonfuls of chili while surrounded by church family. It’s the perfect event to welcome nonmembers and friends so they can experience the warmth and friendliness of this church community.
