Police department to hold charity cook-off

Janeal Downs
Contributing Writer

The VCU Police Department is encouraging faculty, staff and students to “leave your lunch at home and bring your wallet and appetite” to the department’s third annual Chili Challenge on Oct. 31.

Enterprising local chili chefs will compete for bragging rights at the charity event featuring a special celebrity chili judge, VCU men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart. This year’s chili cook-off is scheduled on Halloween and the department encourages guests and contestants to come in costume.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Virginia Public Safety Foundation. Jennifer Brown, the VCU police department’s executive assistant to the chief, said Virginia is one of six states that does not have memorials for fallen public safety servants and the police department wants to raise enough money to help put one in place.

In the past the VCUPD has raised money for organizations like the Special Olympics through bowling tournaments, golf tournaments and bake sales. This will be the first year that the money raised will go to the Virgina Public Safety Foundation.

Brown, who is in charge of coordinating the event, said the Chili Challenge serves in part as a way to build a positive work environment and allow staff to let off some steam.

“(It’s) a nice idea to have something that pulls you away from the office,” she said.

Fifteen to 20 contestants and about 150 tasters are expected to join in the festivities. Brown said there has never been a student contestant in the cook-off.

The event will be held at the VCU Police headquarters at 938 W. Grace St. on Oct. 31 and is set to begin at 11 a.m. The fee to enter as a chef is $15. A ‘taster’ pass costs $5 and includes a full bowl of one chili and a sample from each of the others. Promotional materials for the event say first place winners get “bragging rights,” second place will receive “pride” and the third place winner gets “a warm and fuzzy feeling.”