Inaugural Cook Off Will Benefit Apollo Christmas Celebration

by Jonathan Weaver

After 10 years, the volunteer-based Apollo Area Events Committee will disband at the end of this calendar year.

But, before the group of six volunteers goes their separate ways, they want to say ‘farewell’ with their largest Christmas Lane ever, volunteer Brandy Martin said.

“(Christmas Lane) is the Apollo Area Event Committee’s last event ever. We’re disbursing, so we’re blowing it up big this year,” Brandy said. “We’re looking into doing a whole carnival theme.

“It will be completely different this year than any other year.”

To raise money for the new features, the committee will host the inaugural “Great Apollo Chili and Soup Cook-Off” on Saturday, October 8 at the Apollo Hose Company #3 Fire Hall.

Martin, of Blairsville, attended a chili and soup cookoff at the Blairsville VFW earlier this year – where she won a prize for showmanship – and brainstormed the idea.

The game booths, treats and presents will still be “totally free” this December. Committee members have sold tickets to fundraise for Christmas Lane in the past, but this will be their first Cook-Off.

Brandy will make a Sweet Turkey chili in the Crockpot.

“I believe I just found the recipe online one time and made it awhile ago with my husband. We fell in love with it, so now I make it all the time,” Brandy said.

Of the nine soup entries and eight chili entries so far, Brandy will compete with or against both her mother - Events Committee founder Debbie Schrecengost - and husband, Shane.

Schrecengost will make Stuffed Pepper soup – a friend’s recipe Debbie loves to make.

“I can make a big pot of it and not tell anybody, and eat it five days in a row and take it for lunch,” Schrecengost said.
Shane will make his late-father Bob’s recipe on the other side of the kitchen the night before. It will be his first attempt at the chili – even though Shane has his own recipe.

“It sticks out to me because it’s all we knew –its what we grew up with,” Shane said. “It was Dad – when you took a bite of his chili, you knew that Dad was in the kitchen.

“I think his chili will be a nice representation of him, but I know it won’t be exactly as he would’ve made. I want everyone to get the experience I got to – a little taste of what I miss and what I remember.”

Shane hopes it becomes a fan favorite next weekend – as well as with his wife.

“He is making his dad’s chili – which I never had, but he loves it. This is the first time I will get to try it,” Brandy said.

Doug Matthews, of Apollo, entered his own recipe – dubbed ‘Pap’s Oink and Moo Chili’ - in a chili cookoff a few years ago in Murrysville and wants to try for a prize next weekend.

“My wife (Bonnie) really likes it because it has five different kinds of beans in it and I put smoked pulled pork and beef in it,” Matthews said. “I make it four or five times a year during the Steelers games.

“It’s somewhat easy to make, its quick on a Sunday and it’s pretty good.”

Matthews said each rendition of his chili is different since he does not measure out ingredients.

Other interested chefs can find information on the Apollo Area Events Committee website.

Prizes include $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 third prize of each food, $100 for people’s choice and $100 for showmanship.

Brandy will have a say in the prize money if Shane wins.

“As a married man, (I’ll use the money for) whatever my wife tells me,” Shane said.

Matthews’ winnings would go toward his four grandchildren.

Taster tickets – to sample all chilis and soups, as well as salsa and chips, drink, rolls, cornbread and dessert - are being sold for $10 and vote on a people’s choice. Children five years and younger are free.

Bonnie will be one of those tasters.

Other interested tasters can contact Brandy at brandymandycandy@yahoo.com for information or visit the borough office.

All chefs are asked to cook six quarts worth to have enough for 100 testers to sample the food.

More than 20 Chinese auction baskets are also being donated.

Sponsorship opportunities are available

Christmas Lane is scheduled for Saturday, December 3.

Like her daughter, Schrecengost said it will be “bittersweet” to walk away after the annual December event – which she said might have features for adults as well.

“Anytime that you’re involved in anything for a long time, it’s really hard to quit,” Schrecengost said. “It’s going to be weird not having anything I’m volunteering at.”

Schrecengost will be getting married to fiancé Jim August 5 and moving to West Lebanon.

Next weekend begins at 5:30PM

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