{"id":584347,"date":"2022-09-30T13:00:49","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T17:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jbjsf.org\/news\/?p=584347"},"modified":"2022-09-30T13:03:51","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T17:03:51","slug":"jbj-soul-kitchen-7th-annual-chili-cook-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jbjsf.org\/news\/2022\/09\/30\/jbj-soul-kitchen-7th-annual-chili-cook-off\/","title":{"rendered":"JBJ Soul Kitchen 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off"},"content":{"rendered":"

TOMS RIVER, NJ <\/strong>\u2013 One of our most popular fundraising events is back! The\u00a0JBJ Soul Kitchen 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off<\/strong>, Presented by <\/strong>Vydia<\/a>, honors and thanks local first responders for their dedicated service to our community. JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River will host its 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, October 16 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at 1769 Hooper Avenue in Toms River, NJ. Fire, EMS and police departments, as well as First AID Squads, participate for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the annual Fall event. For a $20 Pay It Forward<\/strong> donation, guests are given the opportunity to taste all the featured chili entries and vote for their favorite. Healthy, seasonal appetizers created by Executive Chef Rob Wood will be available for all guests. Free children\u2019s activities provided by Home Run Party Entertainment<\/a>, including face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos & more!<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Chili Cook-Off is a great yearly event that everyone loves and looks forward to,\u201d said Lou Morreale, General Manager of both restaurants.<\/strong> \u201cThe competition is fierce, and the victory is sweet! Not to mention, the Chili Chef First Responders that compete are super creative with their take on chili!\u201d<\/p>\n

An additional opportunity to purchase ceramic bowls from the \u201cEvery Bowl Feeds a Soul\u201d Empty Bowls Event will be available for a $20 Pay It Forward donation. Your donation feeds families and individuals in need. Bowls were hand-crafted by students throughout New Jersey as a part of a year-long effort to raise hunger awareness in our area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one of my favorite events,\u201d said Joanne Gwin, Community Coordinator of JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River. <\/strong>\u201cIt is an opportunity for everyone attending to be part of something bigger than themselves. Everyone attending the event Pays It Forward<\/strong> with their entrance fee, and each Pay It Forward provides a meal for someone in the community who is facing food insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fulfill\u2019s People\u2019s Pantry<\/strong><\/a>, of The B.E.A.T. Center, will be hosting a \u201cHoliday Wish List\u201d food drive during the Chili Cook-Off. They are asking attendees to bring non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables, boxed potatoes and stuffing, spices, baking items and mixes, and the donation of manual can openers is also greatly appreciated! This will be in effort to help make the holidays a bit brighter for those who are suffering from food insecurity.<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong>\u00a0 JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River, 1769 Hooper Avenue Toms River, NJ 08753<\/p>\n

List of Expected Participants <\/strong>(subject to change) <\/em>\u2013 Be sure to support your local first responders!<\/p>\n