Exceptional Foundation expects large turnout for chili cook-off
Last year, The Exceptional Foundation raised around $290,000 at its annual Chili Cook-Off. This year, they expect similar success.
“We have no reason to think we will raise any less this year,” said Exceptional Foundation Executive Director Tricia Kirk.
The cook-off is in its 12th year and will be March 5 at Brookwood Village again. Last year, Kirk said around 15,000 people attended and around 100 teams competed. Proceeds from the event go toward enhancing programs offered by The Exceptional Foundation.
“As we’ve added on, we always look for ways to enhance the programs,” Kirk said. “The quality of our programs and the safety of our participants here is our number one goal.”
In addition to the chili tasting, the will be a band and several sponsor booths with promotional items.
Exceptional Foundation participants look forward to the chili cook-off, Kirk said, and attendees will see them walking around the event.
“Our participants really enjoy the chili cook-off,” she said. “They’re on stage and they’re air-guitaring and they’re playing. They’re walking around and meeting all the people. They definitely entertain in the judge’s tent. …And they will definitely tell you if they like your chili or not.”
The Exceptional Foundation is around 25 percent funded through participants, and the rest comes from donations, grants and its two annual fundraisers, including the chili cook-off. Homewood and surrounding cities, including Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Hoover and Pelham, also donate to The Exceptional Foundation.
The Foundation realizes the influence Homewood’s support has on their program, Kirk said, and they look to give back to the community. One way they give back, she said, is through the chili cook-off’s location. She said they always hope people will stick around and shop at Brookwood Village after the cook-off.
“Hopefully it’s just a nice way to bring people to Homewood while we make a lot of money at it,” Kirk said.
Families and caregivers of Exceptional Foundation participants as well as volunteers and schools who visit The Exceptional Foundation also spend a lot of time in Homewood, Kirk said.
“All of these volunteers or the schools that are training here are coming to Homewood to learn more about The Exceptional Foundation, but they’re also learning about Homewood,” Kirk said. “[They’re] learning about what a wonderful school system we have, the diversity here in Homewood and the businesses we have.”
Tickets for the chili cook-off are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. There are also multiple sponsorship options available. For more information, visit exceptionalfoundation.org.