My wife and I have lived in Malibu for many years but for some reason, last year was the first time we had a chance to visit the famous Kiwanis Chili Cook-off. We showed up at 4 p.m. on Sunday and were told that the chili is offered earlier and none was available to sample.
We were determined to show up at 11:30 a.m. this year and make a lunch of the various chilies. What we learned was not just disappointing but shocking. What the contestants offer is “just stuff” as one of the vendors said. Their real chili is prepared separately and given only to the judges. We were told that a small amount of the samples may be available to the public after the judging but after a serious search, we couldn’t find any. From what I was able to learn, the contestants have to pay $1,500 to have their chili judged and have little interest in offering, beyond a token batch, any serious chili to the public.
If that wasn’t bad enough, awhile back I purchased a Kiwanis raffle ticket for a Porsche car and I liked the advertised odds. Only 1,000 were to be sold. Between the time I purchased the ticket and their drawing, it was up to 1,200 tickets. That’s fraud. Of course, it’s charity driven, that’s fine, and I was considering returning the car if I won it, but it was a matter of honesty in advertising.
I hope that by the time the next Chili Cook-Off comes around, the rules change so that the public can get some quality chili and the Kiwanis can straighten up their act.
Also, I hope that you will publish this letter in spite of those that would question someone criticizing a charitable organization that has contributed so much to the community.
Tom Balfour