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Cancer-Kicking Chili: Hot for a Cause in Barre
Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen Chili Cookoff 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014 written by CHRISTINE PENNEY
Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen Chili Cookoff 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014 written by CHRISTINE PENNEY
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BARRE, VT – This Sunday found the Cornerstone Pub and Kitchen in Barre, Vermont warmer inside than out at their second annual Chili Cook-off, a community gathering and fundraiser for the Vermont Cancer Survivor Network. This Vermont restaurant departed from its usual gastro-pub American comfort foods to explore the hotter side of palate possibilities when they hosted this tasty and well-attended amateur competition intended to support present and past cancer fighters. |
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“The Cancer Survivor Network is a statewide network of cancer survivors where we train survivors to be mentors for people going through treatment,” said Dave Cranmer, the group’s executive director and himself a cancer survivor. He started the Cancer Survivor Network, and its partnering group Kindred Connections, after he had learned firsthand the importance of building strong support and mentoring relationships for cancer patients and their families. Says Cranmer, “When I talk to anyone newly diagnosed, I’m like, ‘Do not go through this alone. It’s not a solo project. You need a partner somewhere to help you get through it.’”
The Cornerstone’s owners, Keith Paxman and Rich McSheffrey, personally understood the aftermath of cancer diagnosis. Paxman struggled to tell his story when asked to speak one on one. Picking up for Paxman, McSheffrey stepped in: “My father and Keith’s father had cancer at the same time. Unfortunately, he lost his dad at the same time my dad was battling stage 4 cancer and beat it (and is now cancer free). So, it’s bittersweet because we’re business partners and best friends. My dad works for the Cancer Survivor Network…and when he approached me, saying that they wanted to do some sort of a fundraiser, I couldn’t think of a better place or a better group of people to do it with and for.”
It boiled down to creating this family-friendly community event, where tasters bought a ticket, spoon, and token at the door, with proceeds going to the Survivor’s Network. Hungry attendants could then taste any of the 24 chilis entered, which included flavors ranging from chocolate to bourbon, with plenty of secret ingredients thrown in. From there, satisfied tasters placed their token next to a chili, counting toward the popular vote that would ultimately name the king or queen of cancer-kicking flavor. Despite fierce competition, Don Dick of Barre claimed the crown with a tangy venison bourbon chili.
As Mike Allen, a Cornerstone regular and chili contest entrant, put it, “It’s good stuff for a good cause, and that’s what we’re here for.” From the smiles on their faces, over a hundred satisfied chili tasters and cancer fighter supporters couldn’t agree more.
The Cornerstone’s owners, Keith Paxman and Rich McSheffrey, personally understood the aftermath of cancer diagnosis. Paxman struggled to tell his story when asked to speak one on one. Picking up for Paxman, McSheffrey stepped in: “My father and Keith’s father had cancer at the same time. Unfortunately, he lost his dad at the same time my dad was battling stage 4 cancer and beat it (and is now cancer free). So, it’s bittersweet because we’re business partners and best friends. My dad works for the Cancer Survivor Network…and when he approached me, saying that they wanted to do some sort of a fundraiser, I couldn’t think of a better place or a better group of people to do it with and for.”
It boiled down to creating this family-friendly community event, where tasters bought a ticket, spoon, and token at the door, with proceeds going to the Survivor’s Network. Hungry attendants could then taste any of the 24 chilis entered, which included flavors ranging from chocolate to bourbon, with plenty of secret ingredients thrown in. From there, satisfied tasters placed their token next to a chili, counting toward the popular vote that would ultimately name the king or queen of cancer-kicking flavor. Despite fierce competition, Don Dick of Barre claimed the crown with a tangy venison bourbon chili.
As Mike Allen, a Cornerstone regular and chili contest entrant, put it, “It’s good stuff for a good cause, and that’s what we’re here for.” From the smiles on their faces, over a hundred satisfied chili tasters and cancer fighter supporters couldn’t agree more.
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