Downtown Chili Showdown

Help Wanted

It takes a lot of effort to keep the the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville (RMHC) running 24-7, 365 days a year.  Despite their incredible dedication and long hours, there are not enough hours in the day to get absolutely everything done.  To help alleviate at least a little bit of their stress, two of our Board Members (Super Carl and Mike the Great) have coordinated with the the RMHC staff to create an opportunity for our volunteers donate a little bit of their time to help get some of these things done.  We are affectionately calling these opportunities  "Saturday Work Parties".  

Here's how it works.  On the first Saturday of each month we get together at the House to tackle whatever the Staff needs done. All you have to do is sign up for a Saturday that works for your schedule (see Sign Up Genius link below) and show up at the house to help that day.  Tasks are generally easy (cleaning, yardwork, basic handywork, etc) and can even be FUN. Recent Saturday Work Party projects included mulching the front yard and moving patio furniture and putting together lockers in the House pantry.

Saturday Work Parties start at 9:00am and we're usually done by around 1:00pm. So, if you're itching for another great way to help out the House (and trust us, every bit of help that you can offer really is valuable), sign up for one of these Saturday mornings. The feeling you get from helping is so much greater than the small amount of time you actually commit, and, dare we say, it can actually be a really good time?!?!?  (Not to mention, you get to spend the morning with your extra super fun fellow Red Shoe Members).  

So, what do you say - are you ready to come party with us? Next party will take place on March 7, but don't despair if you can't make than one, there's plenty of room in the months that follow! Just let us know you're coming by signing up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050B49A4A62FA02-1stsaturday 

Hot 101.9: What's on Tap?

Check out RSC President Brooke Jenkins as she talks chili and beer with Three Notch'd Brewing Company Brewmaster Dave Warwick and Hot 101.9's PJ Styles in the first awesome "What's On Tap" segment!

Downtown Chili Showdown

Pull out your aprons because April 18 will be here before you know it! We are certain that this year is going to be epic (though last year's event was so awesome it will be difficult to top), so make sure to read below for all the fun details!

WHAT:
We are so fortunate to be teaming with Main Street Arena and Monticello Media again this year to present the Downtown Chili Showdown! The event promises to be bigger and better than ever with even more teams, special judged categories, opportunities to win cash & prizes (not to mention the coveted Downtown Chili Showdown Trophy!) and - new in 2015 - the Downtown Chili Showdown Brew Ha Ha blind beer battle!

WHEN:
April 18th from 11:30am - 4:00pm

WHERE:
Main Street Arena on the Downtown Mall

HOW: 

• Hometown Cooks/Non-profits - $50 entry fee includes a 10'x10' booth with table, two event t-shirts and two tasting wristbands.  
• Businesses/Restaurants $150 includes an opportunity for on-air food sampling with Monticello Media radio DJs leading up to the event, a 10x10 booth with table, two event t-shirts and two wristbands for tasting (not to mention the opportunity to support a great cause!).
• All-you-can-eat Tasting Tickets - $10 tickets include access to all the chili one could ever want, entertainment from several great bands and lots of other fun event activities.

This year there will be prizes for Popular Choice, Blind Taste Test (judged by local celebrity judges) and Best Booth!

WHO:

Anyone and everyone! The bigger this event gets the better it is!  Interested in cooking?   Download your application here!

Not up for cooking? No problem! You can help by spreading the word, volunteering, and, of course, eating chili! And, by popular demand, we will be selling our infamous Red Shoe Cville boot mugs again this year!  Remember, the more people that eat, drink and cook with us, the more we can give back to The Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville!

QUESTIONS?
Visit the Downtown Chili Showdown website at www.downtownchilishowdown.com  or email redshoecville@gmail.com with any questions regarding cooking, volunteering, attending and anything else you may need to know.  

Meals From the Heart

When a child is receiving medical treatment for serious illness or injury, taking away the worry of "what's for dinner?" can be a wonderful relief. This is why one our favorite ways to help out at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville (RMHC) is by volunteering for their "Meals from the Heart" program. 


Red Shoe Cville volunteers provide a meal for RMHC residents on the third Monday of each month. If you're interested in helping out check out our Sign Up Page here or contact our Volunteer Coordinator Carl Schwarz, at caschwarz83@gmail.com or 417-540-1791.  

If our regular dinner rotation doesn't work for you there are many other opportunities to give families - many of whom are through the hardest days of their lives - a little piece of mind the rest of the month. The goal at RMHC  is to have at least one prepared meal each day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, even brunch - so there are lots of chances to make someone's day a little better.  Some volunteers even come in just to bake cookies - and trust us, after a long day at the hospital, fresh baked cookies are a welcome sight and smell!

And don't fret if you're new to the process - the RMHC website provides everything you need to know about providing a meal. Plus, Carl is such a great guy that he'll even come to the house on your first evening to give you a brief orientation and make sure you're comfortable with everything.  Bon appetit!
 

Brew Ha Ha

Imagine a day filled with tasting incredible chili from amazing local cooks and restaurants accompanied by beer from Charlottesville's best local breweries...Well, that is exactly what we have in store for you on April 18!

In addition to our annual Chili Cook-Off this year, Red Shoe Cville will be hosting Cville's first ever blind beer battle - the Downtown Chili Showdown Brew Ha Ha! We're going to take away the logos from your favorite beers and let YOU decide - purely on taste - who brews your favorite beers!! Added bonus...it's for the kids and families of Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville!

Categories will include IPA, Wheat, Malty/Brown/Stout, Lager and a Brewer's Choice. Tasting flights can be purchased for $5, entitling purchaser to vote for one beer per flight.  Additionally, each brewery will have a beer of their choice available for purchase at their booth for $5.

Participating breweries include: Three Notch'd Brewing Company , South Street Brewery, Blue Mountain Brewery, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, and Wild Wolf Brewing Company.


Stay tuned for more info....

SAVE THE DATE

Get your tastebuds ready because on April 18, 2015 home cooks, restaurants and businesses from around Charlottesville will be donning their chefs hats for the 2015 Downtown Chili Showdown!  This year's competition is going to be bigger and better than ever with even more competitors, great entertainment, and - new for 2015 - the First Annual Downtown Chili Showdown Brew Ha Ha blind beer battle!

Details on how you can get involved will be coming soon, so stay tuned!