Chili Heads Converge On European Village For 5th Annual ICS Palm Coast Chili Cook Off
Palm Coast, FL (December 5, 2021) With 26 chili cooks from around the nation ready to vie for a slot in the world championships next fall, judges had their mouths full and pencils at the ready to score two days’ worth of world class chili.
Up from Ft. Lauderdale, Michael Powers said it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, and with a table full of hardware it’s easy to see he takes competitive chili cooking seriously. After qualifying in two categories on Saturday, he was out with his team on Sunday giving it another go.
“We’re here with the family enjoying our day with everybody that’s out here at the chili cook off,” said Powers. “It’s a definite hobby for us. I have a regular job like everybody else but it’s something we started many years ago and the family really gets involved. And … I’m a little bit competitive.”
“We’re hoping to get our name called last,” he joked, indicating a first place win.
New Hampshire chili boss Lori Skinner drew in crowds with her Mardi Gras themed booth, before serving up a taste of her “Mardi Gas Chili”, while Jim and Robin Sulsona whipped up batches of their Atlanta, Georgia-based homestyle and traditional red recipes.
The youngest of the participants paired Jeremy Mall, a 26-year old high school culinary arts teacher with 21-year old Bryton Fissenden, both from Gainesville, Florida, as “Two Bros Chili”. Entering in their second chili cook off ever, Mall’s competitive streak kicked in after they placed second in their first competition.
“I’ve been making chili for years now and I decided recently I make pretty good chili,” said Mall. “Food is my life. Chili competitions, I would definitely do this for the rest of my life. It’s been so much fun.”
New to the kitchen, Fissenden said not only has he learned about making chili, but has been picking up tips in the kitchen.
“I’ve learned the proper way to cut vegetables, trade secrets on cutting onions, and also combining flavors and textures,” he shared.
Winners of the two day event earn a spot in the world finals tentatively slated for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the fall of 2022 according to International Chili Society manager Vickie Marnick.
“Having a two day event actually attracts more cooks. It makes it worth their time, effort and money,” she said.
“The location is the biggest thing. Snowbirds want to be down here where it’s warm so a lot of them come for that reason, but when a cook off is well run like Heather has it here, they’re eager to come back,” said Marnick.
Chili heads as they are known, have deep connections to the communities in which they live and visit, and each chili cook off has a charitable component. The Palm Coast Chili Cook Off features Flagler County nonprofit Teens-In-Flight, providing a financial giveback as well as an opportunity for the organization to share their mission with visitors.
“It’s fantastic. We’ve been doing this for a couple of years now and they’ve always been very supportive of our efforts,” said Howell, who is on a mission to raise $90,000 in matching funds for a grant that will provide a permanent hangar for the youth flight program and three aircraft.
Organizing the event for the fifth year, Heather Thompson says the chili cooks are more like family, and she’s sure to treat them well when they head in for the Palm Coast event.
“It’s just like they’re my family. Larry Weltikol has been doing this since 1989 and he’s introduced me to all these amazing people, even had some of the cooks stay at the house last night,” said Thompson. “To be able to host this and give them a chance to win $25,000 in the world finals makes me happy.”
Volunteer Cheryl Bensley attended her first chili cook off this year, lending a hand and getting know people after moving to Palm Coast from New York several years ago.
“Between helping Heather out I got to taste the chili. I’ve been living here for four years now and never came to a chili event, and now, I’m hooked,” she said.
For a complete list of winners, visit www.chilicookoff.com.
Flagler Beach Holiday Parade Puts the Happy Back In Holidays
Flagler Beach, FL (December 4, 2021) His arrival has been the topic of conversation for the past week, and dropping into town faster than a speeding bullet, Santa returned to Flagler Beach via parachute on Saturday at his duly appointed time to the delight of children everywhere.
Landing in the soft sand on the north side of the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier, after greeting the kids the jolly old elf made his way to his place among the 67 participants in the Flagler Beach Holiday Parade, hosted by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach.
The 2020 holiday parade was cancelled due to the pandemic, and the parade’s return has been long awaited by both the community and participants. Organizers saw a high number of registrants eager to take part in the parade and they didn’t disappoint the spectators lining A1A ready to wish a happy holiday to all.
One young man, 8-year old Jackson Hanes received a very special gift, a shout out from the A1A Jeeps group with a poster announcing his birthday, set up by his grandmother Kathy Hanes.
“Some friends of ours are in the Jeep club and my friends Matthew, Cheryl and Debbie did the sign,” she said. “We were looking for something and I was trying to keep him in suspense because we’re celebrating his big day today. It was really awesome.”
Jackson agreed, saying “everything” about the day was “great”.
From festively decked out elected officials to civic organizations and service clubs, the parade buoyed the spirits of those in attendance, especially those still riding the wave of holiday cheer after the previous night’s holiday kickoff of Starry Nights and the return of First Friday.
“It was a wonderful parade. The floats were excellent and we had a great time,” said Flagler County Judge Andrea Totten, out with her family. “It was a great turnout for First Friday last night. I saw a lot of people I knew and a lot of people I knew again today. I think people are just really grateful to have community events like this to go to.”
Totten says she’s seen an influx of people out at various events and is encouraged by the holiday hospitality people are extending to one another.
“We’ve been having a great turnout at Rotary’s Fantasy Lights as well. I worked the front gate on Tuesday night and we had a great turnout. I’m really glad to see people out and enjoying each other’s company.”
Floats were some of the best in recent memory and participants went all out to express their excitement to the community. Sandra McDermott, a board member of the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach was proud of the work done by her club and the participants to offer the community a quality, family-friendly event.
“We are so happy to be back sponsoring the parade in connection with the City of Flagler Beach,” said McDermott. “We’ve had beautiful weather, tons of people out, everybody is so happy to be outside.”
“As far as the entries, immediately people signed up to participate in the parade. We had a limited number, but they came out right away to sign up because everybody loves the parade as much as we do. We are just thrilled to be here,” she said.
While a vehicle fire closed the parade a bit early, the thousands in attendance had plenty of holiday cheer sent their way.
“I think everyone’s ready to get out. This parade was as large as our largest Fourth of July parade,” said Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston.
“Last night was a total success. Today even with the car burning, it was still a success. Everyone in the community is still overwhelmed and overjoyed, and it was fun to see everyone out dressing festive. Everyone was congratulating the city. It was great.”
To The Rescue: Swift Action By First Responders Minimizes Damage At Flagler Beach Holiday Parade
Flagler Beach, FL (December 4, 2021) If there is one thing you can say about Flagler Beach, it’s that it’s definitely a place to make memories.
As the Flagler Beach Holiday Parade was in full swing on Saturday through the city’s downtown area, spectators along the route began to notice black smoke billowing up in the distance to the north as the realization hit that something was on fire.
During a time when roadways were closed down for the annual holiday parade, it was professional coordination between the Flagler Beach Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue, Flagler Beach Police, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and Flagler County ASSIST who were all on scene, that kept the crowd of thousands calm, and at a safe distance from the antique car in the parade that had caught on fire and was quickly engulfed by flames.
“We had our parade team and we had our coverage crew in Lt. Morgan Rainey, and working with the Flagler County crews, they did an excellent job,” said Flagler Beach Fire Chief Bobby Pace.
“You can see the congestion they had to move through to get in here, catch a hydrant, to put this thing out within minutes. It was encroaching on this structure and this was a huge win. A lot of people could have been hurt with this. I can’t say enough about what the fire crews did here today.”
“It’s a little more excitement for the parade than we wanted today, but again, I can’t give enough credit to the fire crews, said Pace. “They did an excellent job.”
All agencies stayed in communication to ensure the public’s safety as crews worked to extinguish the vehicle fire, with tires popping in the heat.
“You can plan for everything, and I’ve worked with Rotary on this, and this was definitely not in the plan, but what I can tell you is the men and women of the Flagler Beach Fire Department responded, the Citizen Observer Patrols, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and Flagler Beach Police Department did everything they could so that nobody was injured,” said Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney.
The majority of the parade had crossed the intersection of State Road 100 and A1A when the incident happened in front of Faro Beachside Eatery and Chief Doughney was thankful for the swift action on the part of emergency responders and for having an emergency plan in place.
“The vehicle unfortunately is unsalvageable, but we did have to cancel the end of the parade, which was only five or six vehicles. It just goes to show, when you plan an event properly, even when you’re thrown a monkey wrench like a fully engulfed vehicle fire, when professionals handle their business, people don’t get hurt.”
Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston surveyed the scene, finding a bright side to the situation.
“Not only did the crowd last night have a welcome back First Friday, they got to have a parade, and now see our first responders in action,” said Johnston, thankful for the seamless collaboration between agencies on site.
“It’s fantastic. Not only did we have Flagler County Fire Department, we had Flagler Beach and we also had if we needed, backup Palm Coast Fire Department right behind,” she said.
Let’s Eat! Checkers Opens Family Franchise Location In Palm Coast
Palm Coast, FL (December 3, 2021) Matthew Bingham has two loves. Commercial real estate development and French fries. He’ll tell you right off the bat it’s his favorite thing about being a Checkers franchisee.
On the other hand, Matt’s brother Will, co-owner of the new location on Old Kings Road just across from Staples says it’s all about the bacon.
“The fries are amazing but I like the Baconzilla! I’m a bacon guy. Two patties, cheese and a bunch of bacon,” Will said definitively.
The pair hosted a ribbon cutting on Friday, giving away free fries for customers during the day. The excitement on their faces as they did the official honors alongside area dignitaries, was priceless as a steady stream of cars continued though the drive-thru.
“It’s great. Matthew and I started this idea about three years ago. We were at a convention together and said, let’s do it, let’s jump into a franchise together,” shared Will. “We’ve built restaurants for other people before, so here we are. We’re thrilled to be in Palm Coast, it’s an awesome town.”
Strategic in their decision, it was the perfect location for their second Florida-based Checkers location.
“Palm Coast is a growing community and we wanted to be part of the growth. There’s a big gap in the Checkers brand in this area,” said Matt, noting the lack of locations between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville when deciding where to open their store.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin, in attendance along with Greg Blose from the Flagler Palm Coast Regional Chamber of Commerce, Col. Jack Howell from Teens-In-Flight, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Commander Kenny Gonclaves and others, said he is seeing more investment into the City of Palm Coast, and not just at the business level.
“I’m extremely excited because not only has the family that built the Checkers business, starting up a new enterprise here, but they have actually moved into the community,” said Alfin.
“They live here. They put roots and stakes down into the community so they’re engaging themselves and I think that’s the perfect way to support our plan of economic development here in the city of Palm Coast.”
“I think that we have provided a lifestyle, we’re an amenity rich environment, building a business here makes sense. But not just that, Palm Coast business model, financial business model proved to be a profitable enterprise for these locals,” he said.
The Bingham brothers are also partners with their father Jimmy Bingham and Bill Roose on the location, and Matt, a Palm Coast resident for the past six years, said they found the company’s corporate values in line with their own, when deciding where to invest their dollars.
“I like Checkers for their fries, really,” he said with a chuckle. “No, they have a really good community. The Checkers community is really good. Corporate works really well with their franchisees, they’re very helpful,” he said.
When asked what he hopes to bring to the Palm Coast community … you guessed it.
Seasoned Fries.
As for now, hungry holiday shoppers can drive thru for a Big Buford, a Garlic & Butter Bacon Buford Combo or even a Mother Cruncher Chicken Sandwich. They even have chili dogs, loaded fries, milkshakes, slushies, and funnel cakes.
Check ‘Em Out:
Checkers
16 N. Old Kings Road, Palm Coast, FL
386-585-4623
First Friday & Starry Nights Unite Community for the Holidays
Flagler Beach, FL (December 3, 2021) In a town that’s light on commercial influence and heavy on the hometown vibe, it was a return to its roots after a year and a half hiatus for the monthly First Friday gatherings in Veterans Park on December 3rd.
Families headed to the park early to settle into their lawn chairs, angling to get the best views while watching their shining star take the stage for the youth performances that mark the holiday season in Flagler Beach.
With the flip of a switch under the watchful eye of expectant families, Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston lit up the park’s giant snowflakes and the extravagantly decorated lifeguard chairs, adopted by local businesses for the holidays as part of the “Deck the Chairs” festivities.
Coinciding with the Starry Nights kickoff event in Flagler Beach, residents and visitors strolled through the park and down Central Avenue making stops at the Gallery of Local Art, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum and Surfside Shakes before ending up on A1A to watch the lighting of the Starry Nights display along the Flagler Beach Pier.
“It’s our first First Friday in almost two years and not only is it First Friday, it’s the famous December First Friday when we have our local students out singing, and we have Surf 97.3 from out here on the pier as our First Friday host, so it’s very exciting,” said Mayor Suzie Johnston. “It’s a sense of being back together, in perfect timing, for the holidays.”
A large scale team effort helped create the 2nd annual Starry Nights event, bringing together the Flagler Beach Business Bureau, Flagler County’s Tourism Office, the Flagler Palm Coast Regional Chamber of Commerce and individual businesses, residents and nonprofits to ensure the first night’s success.
Leading the efforts behind the scenes, John Lulgjuraj, president of the Flagler Beach Business Bureau and co-owner of Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill ran tight ship to check off milestones and meet goals. The persistence paid off and on Friday night he was able to enjoy the displays alongside his family.
“Starry Nights tonight, it’s one of the best nights of the year in Flagler Beach,” he said appreciatively. “It’s perfect weather, beautiful positivity in the air, lights all over the place, and just a wonderful time to unite the whole county. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
Also working behind the scenes to help coordinate the efforts, Flagler County Tourism Office destination development and community engagement manager Debra Naughton was quick to credit the community for pitching in.
“It is bringing all the community together and of course the Flagler Beach Business Bureau headed up by Johnny Lulgjuraj and Scott Fox, it’s their baby. The Flagler Tourism Office came on board and again supported it as a big sponsor this year, we do the lights on the pier, and we added a brand new wreath on the A-Frame of the pier,” said Naughton. “Everybody was involved in making this happen and it’s a great collaborative effort and community event.”
Returning to the Roots
Selected to head up the First Friday events after the pandemic, Vern Shank, owner of Surf 97.3 FM and Pyramid DJs wanted to revisit the event’s early days and concept when it was designed to drive foot traffic into the downtown shops and restaurants.
With a love for a slower pace, oldies rock and roll, and the community, Shank says he wanted to return to the community vibe and founding spirit behind First Friday.
“We’re honored to be a part of this and kind of bring it back to the community kind of the way it was with the grassroots and the way it was brought to you by the CRA – Community Redevelopment Association. We’re happy and honored to be able to help host it and put things together tonight,” said Shank.
In addition to the lighting of the holiday’s Starry Nights displays, entertainment spanned the area’s music and dance departments from kindergarten to high school.
Shank sees the event as a true representation of what Flagler Beach stands for and an embrace of the Old Florida lifestyle.
“It was put together from Flagler Beach, for Flagler Beach and this really is, in my opinion, I know the first time out the gate is a little challenging when you’re restarting it, but I believe this represents more of the grassroots. I keep using that word. The grassroots idea that this is about the people that need to strive and survive. We want to send people to the restaurants, we want them to eat there. Over at our table, even if they’re not sponsors, we have almost every restaurant in the area and we’re handing all their stuff out for them,” said Shank.
“The reason why we want this is because this is this beautiful town here by the beach, where I live, work and play, and I just want all of us to bring it back to this wonderful grassroots. We just think it’s a wonderful place here in Flagler and we want to make it for Flagler, from Flagler.”
