In keeping with the city’s end-of-summer tradition, the 28th annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off and Carnival, hosted by the Kiwanis Club, will take place Sept. 4-7. However, this is the last time the event will operate at its original location; smack in the middle of the future Legacy Park site in the Civic Center area.
With Legacy Park construction slated to begin later in the fall, City Manager Jim Thorsen in a telephone interview last week said that he has been in discussion with the Kiwanis Club over future chili cook-off locations.
“We’re hoping the Kiwanis will put together plans to continue using parts of the Civic Center,” Thorsen said. “We’re open to ideas and they can perhaps use fringe areas for the booths and locate the carnival midway on Civic Center Way.”
Thorsen conceded that event parking would have to be located elsewhere but expressed confidence that the Kiwanis Club would find creative solutions for locating future chili cook-offs.
This year, however, promises even more merchant booths for an array of artisan jewelry, art and gifts; with the hotly contested Chili Cook-Off taking place Sept. 5 and 6.
As in years past, the cook-off will feature local chefs vying for the title of “Best Chili” and “People’s Choice” Awards. In years past, competition has been fierce, with chili inventories usually drained before the end of the day and exhausted chili cooks vowing to return the following year with more, better and hotter chili.
Trudi Baker Reynolds, chef at Barrel Malibu, is whipping up a batch of what she calls Boca Grande Chili at her booth sponsored by Malibu Global Awareness, the local fundraising arm for Doctors Without Borders. All proceeds from her chili sales will be donated to the international aid group.
But Reynolds last week said that she doesn’t expect to win any competition, as her chili contains no meat.
“I use a really good tofu burger,” Reynolds explained. “It’s so good that I’ve had people send back chili I’ve made with it, saying that they asked for the vegetarian version. The texture really feels like meat in the mouth.”
The 30 gallons or so of chili Reynolds will prepare includes a mix of chili peppers of varying degrees of intensity, such as habanero, chipotle and guajillo.
“It’s hot,” Reynolds conceded. “But it’s really tasty.”
Central to the chili cook-off dynamic is the roster of live music, playing from noon till 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This year’s line up features several Malibu artists, including jazz choral group The ‘Bu Notes; rock/blues songstress Arielle Verinis appearing with the alt band Shaimus; and The Harsh Carpets, “the original Malibu band,” whose repertoire of punk, blues and rock is so eclectic it defies categorization.
The Kiwanis Club of Malibu has raised more than $4 million for the local community over the years, most of which have gone to benefit youth programs in the area.
As in past years, their biggest fund-raising draw is the shiny, new Porsche Cayman awarded by lottery. Only 999 tickets for the Porsche drawing will be sold, and the $100 purchase price gives ticket holders two event passes for the entire weekend. The drawing will be held Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.
The Miss Malibu Pageant will again hold a silent auction, featuring one-of-a-kind sports and music memorabilia and gift certificates to local restaurants and shops.
More information may be obtained by calling 310.589.9266.