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Old Saybrook’s 25th Chili Fest Will be Chili Week

Old Saybrook’s Chamber of Commerce didn’t want the pandemic to cancel its 25th annual Chili Fest. So it reinvented it as Chili Week.

Rather than a single-day event for sampling chili variations at tables set up along Main Street, chili will be available for purchase from Saturday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, March 6 from 13 local restaurants. Those who purchase chili at the participating restaurants during Chili Week will receive a free chili necklace, while supplies last.

As always, the event will support the chamber’s C. Wilfred Hunter Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes local students who have demonstrated academic achievement and a commitment to community service.

The event has a dual purpose: to support local restaurants and to raise awareness for the chamber scholarship. Proceeds from chili purchases will not fund the scholarship; residents are encouraged to visit the chamber’s website to donate any amount to the scholarship fund or to purchase a limited edition blanket for $20. The red fleece blanket features a chili donning a surgical mask.

Bringing the Heat

Little Pub will offer the chili that’s regularly on its menu, a past Chili Fest winner they’ve named Topstone Mountain chili. Fresh Salt will make the exotic-sounding black bean and wild game chili. And Cuckoo’s Nest will have chili de pavo, chili made with turkey. Ashlawn Farm Coffee will offer both a Texas beef chili and a vegan lentil one.

Pursuit of Pastry will bake special chili pepper shaped cookies, offered at a special price.

More information and links to donate to the scholarship or purchase a blanket maybe found at oldsaybrookchamber.com/chili-week.

The following restaurants are participating in 2021’s Chili Week. An asterisk denotes a past Chili Fest winner. (Voting will not take place this year.)

Ashlawn Farm Coffee: Texas Beef chili, vegan lentil chili

Blue Hound Cookery: Short rib chocolate chili

Chow: Ironworks chili

Cuckoo’s Nest: Chili de pavo

*Fresh Salt: New Mexico black bean and wild game chili

*Little Pub: Topstone Mountain chili

Liv’s Oyster Bar: Lobster, fennel, and white bean chili

*Monkey Farm: Monkey Farm famous chili

Parthenon Diner: Winner Winner Chicken Chili Dinner