The Cabinet Press provides our communities with the most reliable, relevant and accurate news and information about their towns.

Cabinet Press local sports coverage

Cabinet Press local living news

Cabinet Press local business directory

Business

Souhegan Valley chamber’s first Chili Chowder Cook Off draws more than 350

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Michael Cleveland photos Josh Parker, a junior at Milford High School, and Jessica Dean, a senior, dish out chili from the school's restaurant, Windows on West Street, during the first Chili and Chowder Cook Off sponsored by the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Networks on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Amherst Business Center.

Enlarge

Michael Cleveland photos Taylor Bardsley, 18, left, and Eryn Barsley, 15, help John Klem of Bedford, Mass., dish out his chili during the first Chili and Chowder Cook Off sponsored by the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Networks.

Enlarge

Michael Cleveland photos Lucy Snow of Brookline tries the chowder from the Weathervane restaurant during the first Chili and Chowder Cook Off sponsored by the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Networks on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Amherst Business Center. Dishing it out is Shaleigh Leavenworth.

Enlarge

Michael Cleveland photos Judges check out some chili during the first Chili and Chowder Cook Off sponsored by the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Networks on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Amherst Business Center. From left are Scott Franz and Helen Ryba from The Chef’s Plate, and Felicia Hoynacki, Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce member.

Enlarge

Special to the Cabinet

AMHERST – You never know how the first of anything is going to pan out, but if one could judge by the first Chili Chowder Cook Off, sponsored by the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Networks, the “firsts” have a lot of potential.

More than 350 people came out on a Sunday afternoon to sample chili and chowder prepared by professional and amateur cooks.

“Opportunity Networks and the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce couldn’t be more pleased with the way the public responded,” said chamber Executive Director May Balsama the day after the event, which was held at the Amherst Business Center. “This was a great way to initiate a new venture, and it proves what the chamber and Opportunity Networks were hoping: Cook it and they will come.”

Winners in the professional category were:

• Best Chowder: Chrysanthi’s, of Brookline.

• Best Chili: The Barn at Hitchiner, of Milford.

Amateur category:

• Best Chowder: Sally Long, of Amherst.

• Best Chili: Tom and Kem Vassello, of Amherst.

The People’s Choice Award went to Hillbilly Chili from Lori Skinner.

Judges were Jeff Boutin, chamber board member; Kevin Stevens, Union Street Grill; Scott Franz, The Chef’s Plate; and Helen Ryba, The Chef’s Plate.

Balsama said the chamber and Opportunity Networks intend to put on the festival next year.

“We are already planning our wrap-up of suggestions and changes to make it bigger and better for the chefs and the public,” she said. “Proceeds of the event will go to Opportunity Networks and the chamber for future programming.”

Opportunity Networks, once known as Souhegan Valley Resources and Nashua Employment and Training – Works Inc., provides vocational opportunities to adults with developmental and acquired disabilities from the Greater Nashua/Souhegan Valley community. It serves Amherst, Brookline, Greenville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua and Wilton.

NOTICE: We use the Facebook commenting system. For more information, read our Comment Policy

JOBS | HOMES | AUTOS

Top Jobs

More Top Jobs »

Top Properties

Site Map

The Cabinet Press

Souhegan Valley chamber’s first Chili Chowder Cook Off draws more than 350

NOTICE: We use the Facebook commenting system. For more information, read our Comment Policy

Site Map

Useage