WINDHAM – The Windham Community Garden spiced things up on Saturday with their second annual Great Chili Challenge, won by Bon Appetit, the food service provider at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.
The event, held at the North Windham Union Church on Route 302, featured chili prepared by local chefs, restaurants and community residents.
“It was an excellent event,” said Marge Govoni, chairwoman of the Windham Community Garden Committee. “We are very pleased with the way the community has supported the garden.”
A dozen chefs took part in this year’s event, which raised just under $1,000.
“We are so excited to have raised this much,” said Govoni. “Between the entry fees, admissions and baked goods, it was an excellent fundraiser.”
The Windham Community Garden, located on Route 202, down from the Windham Public Safety Building and next to the skate park, is a nonprofit organization established in 2010 in an effort to provide affordable garden beds for residents who want to grow healthy food and flowers and help promote a green and sustainable Windham.
“Last year was our first year and it was very popular,” said Govoni. “This will be our second growing season, and we have had so many people ask us already about a spot, I would be very surprised if we didn’t run out of garden spots this year.”
Last year, the community garden offered 40 spots to Windham residents and allowed them to grow their choice of flowers or plants. This year, they are hoping to have more spots, although they do not have a definite number.
Donations, grants and fundraisers support the garden, so the $981 raised at last Saturday’s event will go directly back into the garden.
“Presently, we are working on adding amendments to the soil and that is very expensive,” said Govoni. “But we are trying to improve the garden for everyone. Our hope is that eventually we will be able to help community gardens in other locations.”
Residents are happy to donate to the cause, especially if it involves food.
“I just started eating chili last year, now it’s my favorite thing,” said Windham resident Shannon Barnes. “I saw they were having a chili challenge and I had to be here. It’s nice to support the community as well.”
Barnes cast all three votes for the People’s Choice Award at the Tringali Family Chili station.
“Theirs is absolutely the best,” said Barnes. “I even went back for a second bowl.”
Barnes’ son, Eli McFarland, didn’t agree.
“My favorites were Rustler’s Steakhouse and the Windham Auto guy,” said 7-year old McFarland, referring to Windham Automotive owner Ron Eby’s southwestern three-meat chili. “I liked them because they had the best cheese.”
Barnes’ taste buds seemed to concur with the judges. Tringali’s was awarded second place by judges, Windham Town Manager Tony Plante, Regional School Unit 14 Superintendent Sandy Prince and Town Councilor Dave Nadeau. The overall winner was Sebago Patriot Chili from the chefs at Bon Appetit at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.
“Everything in our chili is made from scratch,” said chef Scott Walsh. “Even the chili powder we use was ground up in our kitchen from chilies. Our peppers were slow-roasted and peeled by hand before being added to the chili.”
This was the first time Bon Appetit brought their chili to competition, and it paid off. They also won the People’s Choice Award.
“We were really surprised the judges selected the same winner as the people,” said Govoni. “That doesn’t usually happen.”
Other participants included Buck’s Naked BBQ, Diego’s, Rustler’s Steakhouse, The REAL School, A La Mexicana, and Westbrook Regional Vocational Culinary Program.
“It was a great event,” said Govoni. “It really worked out well.”
Renee Tringali, right, of Windham made a chicken chili and a
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