SEPTA Hosting 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off Saturday

The Pearl River School District Special Education PTA provides scholarships and other benefits to classified children.

"Teachers and guidance counselors recommend them based on what they've had to overcome in their academic careers to graduate," said Maureen McEnroe, organizer of SEPTA's annual Chili Cook-Off. "This is a population of students who don't get scholarships or recognition any other way. We know how hard it is for them to graduate."

The key to making that happen is the group's major fundraiser. This is the fifth year for the SEPTA Chili Cook-Off, which is schedule for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on the Central Avenue Field in Pearl River.

McEnroe, who took over the event three years ago, is hoping to get attendance back up for this year's event. In the past, as many as 1,000 people have shown up. There is no charge for admission, though there is charge of $30 for 20 tastes of chili. In addition to the chili, there are other refreshments as well as games for the kids.

"It's a lot of fun," McEnroe said. "We have lots of fun stuff going on during the day."

Dunk tanks are not allowed on the property, which is owned by the Pearl River School District, but in place of one is a game with a person sitting under a machine with a target. Every time a ball hits the target, it pops a water balloon over the person's head. McEnroe said it was very popular two years ago.

"We didn't have it last year, but we have it back now," McEnroe said.

Event sponsor Total Golf Adventures will set up a place for children to swing golf clubs on the side and Lisa Cohen of Party by Lisa & Company is providing face painters. Prudential Joyce Realty, Keller-Williams, Rand Realty and TD Bank are also sponsoring the event.

There are 10 restaurants taking part, including first-time participants The Blind Boar, Emmett's Castle, Johnny's Barbecue and Raffaele's on Central. Lanie Lou, Davie's Locker, Luigi O'Grady's, Shop Rite and SouthBound are returning businesses.

"Luigi O'Grady's is participating, they bought a full-page ad and they are donating 100 cupcakes," McEnroe said. "They are being quite generous."

Chef Peter Kelly of the Xavier Restaurant chain is the celebrity judge. The other judges are Pearl River School District Director of Special Education Carolyn Moffa, Pearl River High School teachers Bethann Carter-Pivovar and Shane Carlacci, Franklin Avenue Elementary School nurse Nancy Daly and Pearl River Middle School teacher Vincent Longhi.

The judges select first, second and third-place winners among the participants based on a variety of criteria. Those who purchase 20 tastes for $30 get 20 tickets to be exchanged for some chili. The participant with the most tickets wins the people's choice award. 

Fifth Annual SEPTA Chili Cook-Off

Participating Restaurants

The Blind Boar               

Blue Moon  Café

Davey's Locker

Emmett's Castle

Johnny's Barbecue

Lanie Lou's

Luigi O'Grady's

Raffaele's  On Central

ShopRite of Pearl River

SouthBound