A few of the pumpkin entries.
LITSers braved the elements to enjoy the fellowship of the annual LITS Chili Cook-Off. Despite soggy conditions, employees who made it to the 1762 Building stayed dry as the event moved inside for only the second time ever.
Twelve chilis were lined up in the 1762 A/B conference suite, with titles such as “Tailgater’s Steak Chili,” “DeKalb Firehouse,” and “Big Green Egg Chili.” In addition to the chili contest, there was the annual Bake-Off and, new this year, a pumpkin-carving contest.
“This is my favorite day of the year,” says Daniel Palmer. “Chili contests are right in my wheelhouse.”
Sriram Chari enjoying the event.
Attendees were able to congregate in the halls, eating the contested food fare as well as hot dogs and sausages that were grilled by Tommy Barwick and his team.
Sponsored by LITS B&A, this is the 19th year of the event, which started in 2001, not long after the merger between Healthcare Netcom and University Netcom.
“It was good to see so many people come out,” says Rich Mendola.
The winners for 2019 were:
Chilis – 12 entries
- James Leonard – Tailgate Steak Chili
- Camille Hyatt – White Chicken Chili
- Justin Menacker – Big Green Egg Over the Top Chili
Desserts – 5 entries
- Shoba Malik – Pumpkin Pie Mousse
- Celeste Hermida – Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Bev Turner – Carrot Cake Cup Cakes
Pumpkins – 6 entries
- Jack Scott – Animated LITS Pumpkin
- Caroline Corbitt – Frankenstein Pumpkin
- Wade Moricle – LITSSSSSS Pumpkin
James Leonard is this years’ chili winner.
Special thanks go to the folks who worked so hard to make the event another success: Tommy Barwick, Nydia Charles–Huggins, Kim Comstock (organizer), Michelle Crawford, Sebreanna Echols, Lamar Kelley, Khadijah Muhammad, Linda Richardson, James Sawyer, and all the Field Services guys who helped move chairs and tables.
The next two LITS-wide events are the LITS Town Hall on November 20 and the LITS Holiday Party on December 12.