Chili Cookoff

Boxwood Bistro claims Judges' and Peoples' Choice Awards in
ninth annual Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off Oct. 29

Boxwood Bistro claimed both the Judges' and Peoples' Choice Awards in the ninth annual Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off Oct. 29.

The Cook-off was held this year at the corner of Main Street and Fourth Avenue North between Ben & Jerry’s and Chico’s. The 2011 Chili Cook-off was presented by Tennessee Commerce Bank and Bob Parks Realty, along with a host of other sponsors, including Taylor Made Smiles, Five Points Roofing and Buerger, Moseley & Carson PLC.

Teams in this year’s event included Boxwood Bistro, Bob Parks Realty, Franklin City Club, Cypress Grove Construction, Franklin Firefighters Association L3758, St. Philip Catholic Church, Lorraine's Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, The Daily Dish, The Pink Gala, Summit High Spicy Spartans, and Merridee’s Breadbasket, the 2010 winner for “Best Chili” in the judges’ category.

Finishing second in the Judges' category was The Daily Dish, followed by The Franklin City Club. In Peoples' Choice, The Franklin City Club finished second and The Daily Dish finished third.

The Pink Gala claimed the prize for Booth Decor, followed by Boxwood Bistro and then The Franklin City Club.

Photos by Debbie Smartt/www.smarttimages.com

At just $5 per person for 22 oz. of chili, it is a pretty filling event. The layout of the Cook-off was changed this year to feature more of a street-market style. Proceeds from the event go to the programs and initiatives of Franklin Tomorrow, a non-profit community visioning organization that has been in existence since 2001.

Additional sponsors included The TMA Group; LeAnne Constantine, RE/MAX Elite; Brand Mortgage; The Cellar; Crutcher & Associates LLC; Brentwood Pediatrics; County Mayor Rogers Anderson; State Rep. Charles Sargent; Nashville Pizza Co.; Sperry's of Cool Springs; Alday Communications; Grassland Car Care; Signs By Tomorrow; and the Williamson Herald.

Tennessee Commerce Bank