By Chase Woolner

Quicken Loans experienced an effect of global warming on Monday, June 15th.  Team members at Quicken Loans and Fathead witnessed their conference rooms, known as the Alaska rooms, become the hottest, spiciest place in their world!  The First Annual Quicken Loans Chili Cook-off took place featuring over 14 contestants anxious to share their best crock pot of chili. The event was a fundraiser to support Open Door Outreach, which provides emergency services to families in need, such as food, clothing and referral services for emergency-related transportation and medical needs.

At each table there were three to four crock-pots of chili alongside a spread of various toppings such as cheese, sour cream, onions, and corn chips.  The really tasty chips were donated by Michigan-based Garden Fresh Gourmet.

One of the most universal and time-honored family activities is the sharing of food and recipes.  Many of the entrants had their own personal story behind their chili submissions ranging from “I made it this morning…” to “This recipe has been in my family for generations.”  One of those stories came from team member George Milian who entered a recipe that was passed down from his grandfather and had previously been a winner at a Ford Company Chili Cook-off.  The Chili recipes were collected to put into the Community Diff cookbook that is being created for future fundraisers.

Thanks to the number of entries, the chilies varied in texture, color, ingredients, and most importantly -- taste.  Chili samples from each of the contestants were judged by Vice President of Mortgage Banking, Tony Nuckolls, and Rannie Bawab, a President’s Club Banker. The two sat at a center table and judged each of the chilies on texture and overall flavor.  The First Place winner had their choice of tickets to the Target Fireworks Party in Detroit or the opportunity to enjoy a Tigers game in a luxury suite at Comerica Park.  Our judges struggled over who would be the top place winner…they debated numerous times until they were told they could pick a second place winner.  The Second Place winner would receive tickets to the event not chosen by the First Place winner.

Voting was also open to team members who came to enjoy the chili tasting and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award.  Some chili-goers were creating their own nacho-inspired chili dishes with the Garden Fresh chips and their favorite chili…not bad for a $5.00 donation!  Each voter received a raffle ticket that they could use to vote for their favorite contestant’s chili. The winner of the People’s Choice received a Wolfgang Puck cookbook and cookware.

First Place Chili  -  Awarded to Bruce Schwartz
People’s Choice -  Awarded to A.J. Galgou
Second Place Chili -  Awarded to Doug Gartley

A special “Thank You” goes to all of the contestants, those who donated to the event, Garden Fresh, and our judges who endured the heartburn.

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