On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the Knights of Columbus Family of Man Council gathered for one of our favorite annual traditions, the Dave Craven Memorial Chili Cook-Off.
It was an evening of great food, strong fraternity, and plenty of friendly culinary rivalry. We were especially honored to welcome two special guests: our Parish Administrator, Father Gherardi, and State Warden Steve Buche.
How the Chili Was Judged
Members submitted their best chili for both the Brothers and our official judging panel to sample. This year’s panel consisted of our three Trustees—PGK Yesford, PGK McManus, and PGK Birmingham—along with last year’s defending champion, John Gaerarts.
To determine the top recipes, the judges scored each entry on five strict culinary attributes:
- Color: Seeking a rich, hearty appearance (ranging from reddish to deep brown) without excessive grease—or any questionable shades of gray, pink, or “camouflage.”
- Aroma: A great smell is the first tip-off to great taste, while any hint of a burnt-bottom char is an immediate deduction.
- Consistency: Judges looked for a smooth, well-balanced blend of tender meat and rich gravy—never watery, grainy, lumpy, or dry.
- Taste: The ideal chili balances a complex blend of spices so that no single ingredient overpowers the others, rewarding well-executed originality.
- Bite: The signature kick of peppers and spices that separates true chili from standard soup or stew without overwhelming the palate.
And the Winners Are…
After extensive tasting and deliberation, the scores were tallied, and the Brothers cast their ballots for the crowd favorite. Congratulations to this year’s champions:
- 1st Place: Ed Walsh
- 2nd Place: Brian Kingsbury
- 3rd Place: Jim O’Donnell
- Brothers’ Choice: John Claman
A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers
An event like this doesn’t happen without a dedicated crew behind the scenes. A massive thank-you goes to Keith George and Louis Wise for managing the kitchen, along with their hardworking kitchen team: John Cashman, Tom Olszewski, John Claman, Tom Broderick, Roberto Ortuno, Mike Wooton, and Kevin Yusman.
We also express our sincere gratitude to Dave Siewert, Roberto Ortuno, and everyone else who pitched in to handle the hall setup and cleanup.
Thank you to all the cooks, volunteers, and Brothers who came out to honor Dave Craven’s memory and make this year’s cook-off another memorable night for our Council.
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