26th Annual North Country Chili Cook-Off

***NOTE: Since Facebook does not allow for longer-running events to be listed, this event date is set for our in-person North Country Chili Cook-Off at the Dulles State Office Building on Saturday, Feb. 22. However, the restaurant-to-restaurant portion of the North Country Chili Cook-Off runs from Saturday, Feb. 1, through Wednesday, Feb. 19. Read below for full details about both formats for this event and how you can sign up! A full list of participants will be posted closer to the Watertown.

“We’re excited to be back again for what has become a new tradition with this hybrid format for the cook-off,” said Jeremiah S. Papineau, Director of Communications and Foundation Director for the VTC. “We’ve had a great response to us marrying the restaurant-to-restaurant format we offered during the COVID-19 pandemic with our traditional in-person event. It’s been extremely successful for this fun community event and crucial Building.

“The restaurant-to-restaurant format started as a way to keep the spirit of our event alive until we got back to our in-person event and as a way to shine a light on local businesses as they were facing challenges brought on by restrictions related to the pandemic,” said Mr. Papineau. “It became so popular we decided it made sense to keep that format going as a way to lead up to our in-person www.volunteertransportationcenter.org or by calling Mr. Papineau at 315-303-2590. Information may also be requested via email to foundation@volunteertransportation.org. Additional paperwork will be provided once the initial registration form has been received. The deadline to register for the cook-off is Monday, Jan. 27.

In addition, sponsors are being sought for this event, with those interested encouraged to reach out to Mr. Papineau by phone or email. The deadline for sponsorships is Monday, Jan. 20.

The in-person cook-off on Feb. 22 — which will feature a mixture of amateur and professional chefs competing for prizes — will begin at 11 a.m., with an opening ceremony held at 12 p.m. Mel Busler of WWNY-TV 7News/Fox28 will again serve as master of ceremonies. Attendees will be able to sample chili from each of the teams competing in the event until 3 p.m. when awards will be presented. Each entry will be scored in various categories by a panel of local judges and attendees will be able to cast their ballots until 2:30 p.m. for the People’s Choice admission.

Proceeds of the North Country Chili Cook-Off will benefit the Volunteer Transportation Center, which provides essential rides to health care appointments, grocery shopping, and other destinations for residents with no transportation alternatives. Funds raised through the cook-off are earmarked to provide transportation to veterans and their family members, which make up roughly one-third of those transported by volunteer drivers through the VTC.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER

The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents.

In 2023, volunteer drivers provided 25,314 charitable trips over 855,471 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 329,819 helped those in Jefferson County, 101,766 in Lewis County, and 423,886 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $427,736 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers. That’s why the community’s help is so transportation.

For more information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center, about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422, in St. Lawrence County at 315-714-2034, or Western New York at 585-250-5030. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more importantly, make a difference in the community. To learn more, visit