The team from Cherokee Lane is named the runner-up at Bachman’s Chili Cook-off last year.New Bachman Community Center Marketing and Programs Manager Katy Murphy is busy preparing for the center’s annual Chili Cook-off and Fall Festival, coming up Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The deadline to register is Sept. 24.
Murphy comes to Bachman from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, where she spent 11 years working in external affairs, fundraising and planning events.
“I was looking for something closer to home,” said Murphy, who grew up on the mountain and is a current resident.
In July she took over the position previously held by Ashley Zimmerman, an illustrator and painter who left to focus on her art, Murphy said.
Murphy said she is hoping to have a lot of teams participate in this year’s cook-off, for which there is a $50 entry fee for a team of five.
“It’s good fun, and there are bragging rights available,” she said of the event. “It also raises money to help maintain the historical building and to provide programs for the community.”
She encourages teams to pick themes, decorate their booths and dress up in costumes to up the fun factor, as well as to win the prize for Best Booth.
The winner of the best-tasting concoction will take home the coveted Chili Bowl Trophy.
The cost for a chili-tasting pass for the cook-off is $5, and the Tap Wagon will be on-site, said Murphy. There will also be activities for children while foodies cast their votes.
As Murphy settles into her new role, she said she’d like to put more of a focus on marketing Bachman as a space that is available to rent for birthdays or community group meetings, as well as renting spaces to more artists, photographers and clinicians.
Bachman Community Center is at 2815 Anderson Pike and can be reached at 886-4842 or info@bachmancc.org. For more information or to register a chili cook-off team, visit the Bachman website at bachmancc.org.
Contact Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6508.