Thursday, March 20, 2025
The chilly winds of February couldn’t stop Baldwin from turning out in full force for the highly anticipated Chili Cook-Off hosted at The Irish Pub on Feb. 2.
This year’s event was dedicated to funding holiday lights for Baldwin’s streets. The idea was sparked when local residents took to a Baldwin Facebook group, voicing frustration over the lack of Christmas decorations in their hamlet. Inspired by their concerns, Sabel decided to channel the energy into a solution.
The chili cook-off, a staple event in Baldwin since 2019, was revived and reimagined by local mother-daughter duo Susan and Samantha Cools in 2021, after it was put on hold during the pandemic. This year, Sabel and the Coolses teamed up once again.
“This was by far our best turnout,” Sabel wrote to the Herald. “It was the first of three fundraisers this year going towards the holiday lights throughout Baldwin.”
The event helped raise $1,200 and Jessenia Melendez took home the crown for Best Chili in Town.
Each attendee enjoyed an all-you-can-sample buffet of hearty chili, a free drink, and a sense of community spirit for $20.
The funds raised at the event are expected to cover not only the cost of the holiday lights but also the maintenance and installation fees.
In response to the criticism, the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, which had previously clarified in a Facebook post that the town’s holiday lights are funded by donations, also lent support to the cook-off effort.
As for Sabel, he previously told the Herald he is looking ahead to future initiatives. Following the success of the Chili Cook-Off, he’s exploring more ways to bring the community together in fun and meaningful ways. One being the possibility of hosting a Pub Palooza, a community event held outdoors that celebrates dogs.
“I am so excited for the rest of the year and reaching our final goal to lighting this town up!” Sabel said.
