Former Wyandotte City Councilmember Rose Shuryan (left) and current Wyandotte City Councilmember Adriana Villanueva-Cerulla serve chili during the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 22 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
Attendees Bill Shartu (left) and former Wyandotte City Clerk Larry Stec taste and rate various chili samples during the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – The city’s fifth annual chili cook-off offered a warm welcome Feb. 21 while fundraising for the Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation, which since 1989 has raised $1.7 million.
The cook-off, which was held at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall at 1430 Oak St., allowed attendees to sample different chili flavors and vote on their favorites. Raffle prizes were also a popular feature of the event.
Wyandotte-based non-profit organizations hold their own chili cook-offs, then send their winners to the city-wide competition.
The first-place winner, as well as the people’s choice winner, was submitted by the Fraternal Order of Police 111. Second place was awarded to the Polish League of American Veterans Post 74 entry, with third place awarded to the American Legion Post 217 chili.
Volunteer Amanda Hankin of Southgate said the participating groups also included American Legion Post 447, the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America 162, the Marine Corps League Downriver, Veterans of Foreign War Post 1136, and Knights of Columbus Wyandotte Council.
“My favorite part is seeing everybody come together as one,” she said. “It makes me happy to come out and see us coming together as a city, as individual clubs coming together as one for the kids of Wyandotte.”
Hankin said the chili cook-off typically raises $4,000 to $5,000 annually, which provides scholarships for high school seniors.
Former City Clerk Larry Stec said he enjoys the variety of chili available to sample.
“So many people bring out so many different flavors that take you out of a rut sometime when you’re trying to cook,” he said. “I make a lentil chili myself at home, as well as one with ground beef, pork, Italian sausage and venison – I use a variety of meats.”
Attendee Larry Cadeau (left) of Redford Township and his granddaughter Hazel Engel, 10, of Fowlerville enjoy the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
Stec said he appreciated the strong turnout for the event, which he said requires a lot of work in the six months prior to the cook-off.
“You want people to show up and enjoy it, of course, but it’s also a great cause, the scholarship fund,” he said. “We’ve got to support our own, and we do a really good job of that Downriver.”
Former City Councilmember Rose Shuryan said the chili cook-off is a great city event.
“Everybody gets together to support the community,” she said. “They are here to eat today.”
Shuryan said it was nice to see the city’s non-profits working together for a good cause.
Repeat attendee Larry Cadeau of Redford Township, who was sitting at a table with extended family, said he was there to support his girlfriend’s chili, which was a Knights of Columbus entrant.
Political aspirant Justin Onwenu of Detroit said he was enjoying meeting Wyandotte residents while enjoying some great chili.
He said he enjoys white chicken chili, which is his grandmother’s specialty.
“It’s beautiful to have the community come together, in one room at one time, and I think we need more of this,” Onwenu said. “So many times we get divided by background and geography and things that don’t matter, but people eating a meal together, coming together, is just really great to see and I think we need more of it in these times.”
Volunteers serve chili during the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
American Legion volunteer Amanda Hankin (third from front left, seated) sells admission tickets during the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
Attendee Larry Cadeau (front left) of Redford Township and other attendees enjoy the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
Above and below, attendees line up for and enjoy chili during the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.
Raffle prizes help increase the proceeds of the annual Wyandotte Chili Cook-off, which supports the Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation, Feb. 21 at the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Hall, 1430 Oak St.