Chili Chili Bang Bang!

Yippee ki yay, partners! How has this group existed for a decade without a Chili Feast featuring the spicy, slow-cooked, bean-based, cowgirl and cowboy, culinary delight?! Let’s fix that, little doggies!

I looked for cookbooks that would cover all our bases to create a tasty event for vegetarians and meat-eaters with fun sides and even a dessert of two, but didn’t find anything to fit the bill. Therefore, I've created an event with four unique chili recipes (from some of our club’s favorite and most reliable resources) plus sign-up options for four other "Wild Card" chilis of choice. I've also included sign-ups for two "Wild Card" corn breads, two "Wild Card" side dishes of choice, and two "Wild Card" theme-based desserts.

And then, for six attendees who want to take a break from cooking or baking this time, I have five slots to bring an assigned set of chili toppings. I also created one slot that hopefully one person will want to take to bring a craft cocktail of choice that fits the theme.

THE LINK TO THE SIGN-UPS IS HERE Pls add the name of your contribution in the A column (if you're choosing a wild card) and change all selected contributions to red, so others know they're spoken for, and add your name to the H column. THX!

I know this event's dish selection is a bit different than our usual format, but I think it will make for a nice, well-rounded menu with a wide variety of unique chili recipes plus all the fixin’s and complementary sides and desserts!

And, as you know, I strive to make my events fun, so we’ll have a Chili-Inspired Trivia Contest with prizes. Cowgirl and cowboy attire is highly encouraged – not required but hoping attendees will get into the yippee ki yay spirit! :0)

A few notes on logistics - chili needs to be served hot, so it would be great if those bringing chili plan accordingly, so it will be served hot - either via a crockpot, a portable burner or heating plate. I have a heating plate that should hold two large stockpots. Also, if someone has a lightweight microwave that they want to bring to the community room venue, that would be awesome. People could then reheat their individual bowls, as needed, if it looks like we don't have enough crockpots and heating plates.

Newbies, pls know that this group and our events aren't like many other Meet Ups in which ppl sign up and may or may not show up. We have a very dedicated group of regulars and occasional members. We also love welcoming new folks to the group but ask that ppl only sign up if they truly plan to show up (and with a dish/es from the chosen cookbook). Each attendee is required to bring a contribution, so if you bring a guest, please to sure to sign up for two of the options on the sign up sheet.

Also, while I recognize that people may have varying time constraints for all events, my events are not meant to be a "dine and dash" experience, but also a chance to socialize and get to know the other members of the group. This time, we'll even have a fun, optional chili-focused trivia contest after our meal.

If your plans change, please update your RSVP at least 48 hours in advance. Because this is an event that involves deciding on a recipe, getting the ingredients and cooking or baking, a lot of time and effort is put in by all attendees and hosts. Out of respect for all, we'd like an accurate headcount and spaces made available when there's a waitlist. Finally, if you’re feeling under the weather, please opt out of the event and update your RSVP, and we look forward to seeing you another time.

IMPORTANT additional reminders:
* Bring your own bowls, plates, utensils, cups, napkins, and serving utensils for your dish - and remember to take them home. Your dish must be prepared in advance and ready to serve when you arrive. Because there will be multiple chilis, you may want to bring several bowls. I'm trying to secure a large quantity of disposable bowls, so stay tuned for that potential update.
* If you signed up for one of the five sets of chili toppings, please bring those in individual containers with appropriate spoons or tongs for hands-free serving.
* Your real first name and photo in which your face is visible is required for all events I host.
* Plan to bring a few dollars to help cover the Meetup fees for hosting a group ($330+/year!!) and give to the event host and that will be passed along to our group's leader, Katy. Venmo and PayPal are also accepted and equally appreciated! Katy has posted instructions for that payment option on the Discussion Page.
* Make sure your Meetup settings allow event updates from organizers. If you don't see the emails, check your spam, or social folders (for those on Gmail).
* Feel free to bring a beverage to share, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, in addition to our potential cocktail.

Be there or be square!