Collinsville Chili Fest to Benefit Canton Food Bank

The Canton Food Bank will be the beneficiary of the first-ever Collinsville Chili Fest, set for Sunday, Nov. 8 from 12-4 p.m. rain or shine in the Town Hall Parking Lot, 74 Main St., Collinsville. Organized and hosted by Lisa’s Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub, the event will feature a chili contest between area businesses and individuals. Each will serve up their version of chili for attendees to sample and vote on.

Tickets are $25 in advance at Lisa’s Crown & Hammer or $30 at the door and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the food bank. Children five and under will be admitted free and the cost is $10 for ages 6-13.

The chili contestants are Lisa’s Crown & Hammer, The Village Cafe and Bistro, LaSalle Market and Deli, Kane’s Market, Jonathan Sablon, Chris Dwyer and Lisa’s Luna Pizza. Event attendees will judge and prizes will be given for first, second, and third place.

Music from The Goddamn River Band and others will be provided by Downright Music during the event, which is also being supported by donations from HDI Brett Hollander, Berkshire Brewing Company, Brescome Barton, and ROGO. Tickets cover the cost of one beer or non-alcoholic beverage.

Lisa Maurer of Avon took over ownership of Crown & Hammer last November, hiring executive chef Michael Alfeld and restaurant manager Emily Thomas, who is coordinating the chili fest. Maurer also owns Lisa’s Luna Pizza in Simsbury where she often sponsors charitable events, including a breast cancer fundraiser every October.

“We would really like to help support the Canton Food Bank, which has been operating for over 32 years, by giving back to the community that has been a big part of Lisa’s Crown and Hammer since it reopened last November as well as helped grow,” Maurer said. “We have high hopes for this event and expect to sponsor it annually.”

Tickets are available at Lisa’s Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub, 3 Depot St., Collinsville. For information, call 860-693-9199.