April 6, 2018 - Sierra Foothill Charter School is holding a Chili Cook Off and Dessert Auction at The Alley in downtown Mariposa on Saturday, April 14, from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. This family-friendly event is open to the public. In addition to chili tasting and dessert bidding, there will be live music to enjoy by local band, "The Jespersens.”
Auctioneer Jon-Paul Salonen points to a winning bidder as Elle Sexton expresses her happiness and holds the dessert in question at last year's Dessert Auction.
The dinner portion of the evening will include a variety of tantalizing chilis and cornbreads made by local families competing for prizes. The cost of tasting as much as you can eat is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children 12 and under.
If you have a chili and/or cornbread recipe you would like to enter into the contest, you are welcome to do so. Fill out this online form: https://tinyurl.com/y7g3jq3p or contact Amber Edwards at (209) 769-7520 or aclassicedwards@gmail.com with your name, phone, and email address.
SFCS has secured fabulous prizes for first, second, and third place and a People’s Choice Award. The prizes include a spa and dinner gift certificate from The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort; a gift certificate or gift basket from High Country Health Foods; a fantastic enamel, cast iron Dutch oven from Ace Hardware; with more announcements of prizes to come.
Andrew Glikin receives a squirt of special sauce on his sample of chili from Devon Foster at a previous Chili Cook Off.
Doors open at 4:00 P.M. Chili and cornbread judging will start at 5:00 P.M. with winners announced at 5:30 P.M.
After dinner, be ready to bid on some delicious desserts! The Dessert Auction, which used to be held as a separate event at McCay Hall but is being combined with the Chili Cook Off this year, will start at 6:00 P.M.
Darragh Duffy encourages his mom, Caroline McGrath, to bid on a dessert while his dad, John Duffy, looks on at last year's Dessert Auction.
If you would like to contribute to the dessert auction, please contact Summer Vaziralli at summerlmann@gmail.com or bring one with you to the event.
“Some families are known for bringing certain desserts,” says organizer Amber Edwards. “Other families want to be sure to bid high enough to win them!”
“There’s always plenty of enticing desserts to bid on,” says committee member Kori Smith. In previous years, desserts have sold from $20 to top sellers of $450 or more.
“Who can resist these children when they smile sweetly and say, “Wouldn’t you like to bid on this special dessert I made,” says Smith. “It is really difficult to refuse. The children are a big part of what make this such a successful fundraiser for us.”
The auction will continue until all the desserts are gone.
Ari Brouillette tastes one dessert won at auction while another is visible on the table next to him.
The coming together of community is the other factor that makes this such a successful event. All are invited. This is a great opportunity for community members to say hello to friends and neighbors, have a delicious meal, purchase fantastic desserts, listen to wonderful music, and support a good cause all at the same time. All profits will be used to support students and programs at Sierra Foothill Charter School.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Principal/Superintendent Mindy Bolar. “We appreciate everyone’s support.”
Sierra Foothill Charter School is a free, non-profit, TK-8 public school. For more information, contact the office at (209) 742-6222 or visit SFCS’s website: SierraFoothillCharterSchool.org. To stay up to date on all the latest happenings, “like” SFCS on Facebook.
