Annual Chili Cook-off Raises $4,053 for United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire

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We hosted our 7th Annual Chili Cook-off this week and raised $4,053 for United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County.  In total, $4,053 will be donated to the UCP through amazing chili tasting and raffle ticket sales.  The REACT committee, led by Chair Mary Jane Dunlop and staff worked incredibly hard to make this a success. A great way you can help say thank you is to take a few minutes and “like” the facebook restaurant pages of those who gave so freely of their yummy chili, and to remember then when you’re looking for some great food. All costs associated with hosting this event is underwritten by the Berkshire Realtors REACT charitable task force so every dime raised is given to the selected charity.

We are thrilled to congratulate the following category winners:

  • Flavours of Malaysia in Pittsfield did an awesome job, winning both ‘Best Presentation‘ and ‘Blazing Saddles‘
  • Salmon Run in Lee took the ‘Chili Outside the Pot‘ award for their crazy good seafood chili;
  • And all around ‘Fan Favorite‘ went to Gala Restaurant and Bar in the Orchards Hotel in Williamstown, first time entry and they knocked it out of the park.

Three new contestants entered the cookoff:

  • KJ Nosh Catering was ‘Outstanding Newcomer‘ with their amazing cornbread and topping additions, operating with locations in Lee(Greenock Country Club) & Dalton(Wahconah Country Club).
  • Smokey Divas,with amazing BBQ and their 92nd sawuce now being carried at the Big Y
  • AJ’s Trailside, a fun pub located directly along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Adams, MA

All three restaurants entered amazing chili in this year’s cookoff.  We were also pleased to welcome back past winners, our long standing favorites:

And a very special thanks to our two longest running contestants & past winners;

  • Located around Park Square in Pittsfield, We thank Patrick’s Pub for their traditional, delicious chili
  • Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox, who always comes with a new and wonderful chili every year.

Thanks to our REALTORS who gave so freely as well!  The raffle brought its usual flair and fun to the event with tickets purchased and careful consideration given to their allotment for baskets and other fun raffle items.  Thank you to:  Barbara Osborne Team, Bishop West Real Estate; Greylock Insurance; McLean REALTORS®; Piretti Real Estate; Berkshire Access Realty; Maggie Merelle, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty; Lenox Village Realty; Burnham Gold Real Estate; Suzanne Crerar, Stone House Properties; Signature Associates; Dayspring REALTORS®; Brockman Real Estate; B-Mile Team, The Kinderhook Group; Godwin Appraisal; Fire Shire Candles; Adams Community Bank; Barnbrook Realty; Royal Property Group; Lance Vermeulen Real Estate; Southern Berkshire Realty; Lee Bank and Roberts and Associates Realty for their generous raffle donations.

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Berkshire County is to elevate and advance a life without limits for people with disabilities and everything they do. Among many other services, United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County offers people with disabilities the opportunity to develop the skills needed to live independently. Their program also assists individuals who need to improve their independent living skills in only a few areas, or who may benefit from the opportunity for increased peer interaction in an environment outside their own home.

The skills program allows people with disabilities to explore the process of becoming independent through actual experience; participants learn to manage their own lives to the best of their ability and become active participants in the day-to-day affairs of their community. Individuals are provided with information on available services and programs, gain practice in daily living skills, and are able to interact with role models – all of which facilitate the process of becoming independent.

Thank you all.