Community Corner

Wicked Tuna Captains to Judge Second Annual Chili Cook Off at Patriot Place

Proceeds from Saturday's Patriot Place Cook Off presented by Bass Pro Shop will benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA's Reach Out For Youth & Families Campaign.

Who better to judge a hot bowl of chili than rough and tumble boat captains who eat their meals on the frigid North Atlantic?
 
The cast of National Geographic Channel’s hit series, "Wicked Tuna" will serve as celebrity judges for the second annual Patriot Place Chili Cook Off presented by Bass Pro Shops on Saturday, March 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. Bass Pro Shops in Patriot Place’s South marketplace, south of Gillette Stadium on Route 1.
 
Critiquing the chili entries will be Captain Dave Carraro and First Mate Paul Hebert of the FV-Tuna.com, Captain Tyler McLaughlin of the Pin Wheel, Captain Ralph Wilkins of the Odysea, Captain Bill Monte of the Bounty Hunter and Captain Kevin Leonowert of the Christina.

The captains will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans from noon to 1:15 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, prior to the Chili Cook Off.
 
In addition to meeting the celebrity judges, guests will enjoy chili samples and vote for their favorite recipe from eight Patriot Place restaurants, including 2012 Champions Twenty8 and 2012 “Fan Favorite” winners Tavolino, as well Bass Pro Shops’ Blue Fin Lounge and Uncle Buck’s Snack Shop, CBS Scene, Davio’s, Red Robin and Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill.
 
Tickets are $3 per person with kids five and under free, and all proceeds benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out For Youth & Families Campaign.
 
“We had a great turnout for a first-time event last year, and we’re excited to build on that success this year,” said Brian Earley, Patriot Place General Manager and co-chair of the Hockomock Area YMCA's 2013 Reach Out For Youth and Families Campaign. “It’s a fun, family event with great food, and we’re thrilled to have the guys from Wicked Tuna on board.”

Walter Grammer, General Manager at Bass Pro Shops, shared in Earley's enthusiasm for the event. 

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“We are looking forward to hosting the Chili Cook Off again this year along with our partners from Patriot Place,” said Grammer. “With 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Hockomock Area YMCA, it’s a fun way to support a great cause. We are especially excited to have the team from Wicked Tuna as our celebrity judges this year. If anyone happens to make a Tuna Chili recipe, I bet they would rack up a lot of votes!”
 
Wicked Tuna follows a group of spirited fishermen from Gloucester as they make their living the way their ancestors did centuries ago – man versus fish, rod versus fin, one catch at a time. The stakes are unforgiving, but the paydays can be huge, as the fleet navigates the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, searching for the magnificent and elusive bluefin tuna. One “monstah” catch can bring in as much as $20,000, but with a short fishing season and dwindling tuna populations, Gloucester’s fishermen are fighting for their economic survival every time they set sail. Wicked Tuna airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on National Geographic Channel.


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