Caring, Giving: 2 Key Ingredients of Dundalk Chili Cook-Off

The Hard Yacht Café is known as a fun place in the warm months.

The waterfront restaurant at the Anchor Bay East Marina is known as Dundalk's own little piece of the Florida Keys and that's no accident.

Owners Art and Tina Cox, frequent visitors to the Keys, modeled their eatery and bar after those of the resort town and succeeded, right down to the collection of bar and other memorabilia that covers nearly every square inch of the cafe's walls and ceiling.

But the HYC isn't just a warm weather destination, and staff members have an event planned for Saturday that's part fun and part serious business.

The HYC will host its Second Annual Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Red Devils, a cancer patient support and awareness organization.

Chili cooks who'd like to compete for bragging rights can still enter the contest. The entry fee is $20.

Tasters—it's a tough job but someone has to do it—can buy tickets for $10 each, which will entitle them to samples of each chili entry and special drink prices.

Judges will rank each entry according to aroma, color, consistency, taste and after-taste, according to HYC employee Jenn Cox.

All proceeds will benefit the Red Devils, which provides services to improve the quality of life for Maryland breast cancer patients and their families.

Chili cooks can begin cooking at noon, and the restaurant opens to tasters at 2 p.m., Jenn Cox said.

Judging will take place around 3 p.m.

Details:

What:Second Annual Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Red Devils

When:Saturday, Feb. 23—Noon for cooks; 2 p.m. for tasters; 3 p.m. judging

Where: Hard Yacht Cafe, 8500 Cove Road, Dundalk MD

Cost: $20 to enter a chili dish, $10 to taste

Information: 443-407-0038

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