HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 1 CHILI COOKOFF 02-06-84DATE:
January 30, 1984
NEW BUSINESS
NO. 1
Inter-Corn
FROFI:
SUBJECT:
William A. Huston, City Manager
Jeff Kolin, Recreation Superintendent
EL CAMINO REAL CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI COOKOFF
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Authorize staff to pursue the development of a ChQmpionship Chili Cookoff
in cooperation with the cookoff advisory committee.
2. Designate the Assessment, Treatment and Service Center as the charitable
organization receiving the funds raised from the event.
3. Designate E1 Camino Real Street between Main Street and First Street as the
location for the Chili Cookoff.
BACKGROUND:
The National Recreation and Park Association has developed "Life. Be In It!"
Week to encourage the nation to celebrate life and recreation. Communities
across the entire United States stage events in the first week of June to
celebrate "Life. Be In It!" Week and National Recreation Month. Events range
from community carnivals to long-distance runs.
The staff of the Community Services Department and representatives of the
Assistance League of Tustin, the Tustin Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Tustin,
and the Tustin Area Women's Club have met several times to develop a proposal
for "Life. Be In It!" Week. The advisory committee's goal was to develop
an event in which all community service organizations could participate and
have fun. The committee also wanted to select a charitable organization which
would be able to receive any profits from the event. It is hoped that by
participating in the Chili Cookoff, community organizations will be able to set
aside individual goals for one day a year and work together to benefit youth in
Tustin. The committee is proposing that the E1 Camino Real Championship Chili
Cookoff be used as the central event for "Life. Be In It!" Week. Many
questions and details still remain to be answered and developed after approval
in concept is received for the event.
The Chili Cookoff will involve up to forty teams from local organizations and
restaurants, each cooking an original recipe of chili from scratch. Entry fees
of $25. will be used to pay for staging, restrooms, and other event costs.. A
team of judges tastes each team's chili and then selects a winner, runner-up,
and third place team. Spectators will also be able to taste each team's chili
for a small donation.
EL CAMINO REAL CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI COOKOFF
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January 30, 1984
The entire family will be able to enjoy country-western entertainment, a variety
of games and children's activities coordinated by the Community Services
Department staff, and lots of spicy chili! The Lions Club has agreed to assist with
the sale of beer and wine and other service organizations will provide a variety
of refreshments. As an added attraction, each Chili Cookoff team will have a
cheerleading squad and contestants for the Mr. and Mrs. Chilipepper Contest. The
idea is to have lots, of fun, make lots of noise, and cook up a fiery batch of
award-winning chili.
The E1 Camino Real Championship Chili Cookoff advisory committee will ask all
organizations in Tustin to participate in a day of fun and family entertainment to
benefit the youth of Tustin. This year, the advisory committee is recommending
that the A.T.S.C. be the organization that receives the profits from the Chil.i
Cookoff. The Assessment, Treatment and Service Center has a very good reputation
in the community for service to youth and the development of outstanding delinquency
prevention and counseling programs. Each year, the advisory committee will select
a project for which all community groups in Tustin can participate in a day to
celebrate life and recreation and to help raise money in the process.
Not only will community groups have a chance to work together on a joint project,
they Will also have the chance to have fun in the process. Part of "Life. Be In
It!" Week is to create a community spirit and identity; by working together,
community groups begin to realize the identity of their community. E1 Camino Real
Street is proposed as the site for the Chili Cookoff because it is an easily
identifiable area of the City which can accommodate a large special event safely.
Each business on the street will be contacted to determine their support for the
event and to reduce any potential problems with the street closure. Parking is
available nearby at City Hall, shopping centers, and nearby street parking.
Peppertree Park was selected by the committee as an alternate location if significant
problems with street closures at the E1 Camino Real site are encountered.
The Tustin Police Department has been involved in the development of the Chili
Cookoff proposal. Staff of the Police Department have approved the event in concept
and feel that the E1 Camino Real location, with careful planning, can be a
successful site for the event. The Police Department is also a strong supporter
of the Assessment, Treatment and Service Center and the programs it offers to
Tustin area youth.
The advisory committee feels confident that the event will be a money maker. The
combination of chili-tasting donations, beer and wine sales, food sales, and
entertainment should leave us with a profit of several thousand dollars. EaCh of
the service organizations represented on the advisory committee has agreed to
volunteer the services of their members and donate any profits from the event to
benefit youth in the Tustin area. The Championship Chili Cookoff will be unique
in that it will bring the entire community together working and celebrating to
help youth in our community. By holding the event in the downtown renewal area,
it should help focus attention on the improvements made in the area. The
committee also feels that a significant amount of media coverage can be achieved
to bring additional recognition to the area.
Best of all, the event should not cost the City any money. Sponsors will be
EL CAMINO REAL CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI COOKOFF
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January 30, 1984
recruited from local businesses to assist with event costs, particularly in the
area of staging for entertainment, restroom'facilities, and security. The advisory
committee's chief concern is to develop a high-quality family event in which
everyone can participate and enjoy. Activities for children, teens, and adults
will be made available throughout the day so that families of all ages can attend
and enjoy the event. The advisory committee encourages the Council to support
the event by attending and participating and urging all community organizations
to participate either by submitting a cookoff team or attending the event.
JK:sk