Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 7th Annual Charity Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, February 23rd from 1-5 pm at El Rio BBQ Bar in Paso Ancho. Jim Sullivan will again chair this year's "All You Can Eat" chili feast, featuring recipes from some 18 popular PV area bars, restaurants and sponsors - all competing for trophies and bragging rights.

There will be two categories of chili judging - one by popular vote from attendees and one by professional judges. We still have space available for a couple more entries. Anyone interested in participating by making their own 5 gallons of chili, please contact Donna Wong at parosgreece(at)yahoo.com.

Tickets to the Chili Cook-Off cost just $250 pesos per person prior to the event and $300 pesos at the door. In addition to all the chili, an order of El Rio's famous smoked riblets and an agua fresca are also included. El Rio menu items will also be available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by several cookin' musical groups, including Dave Whitty, Da Crew, Mikki Prost and The Texas Embassy Blues Band.

Pearl Burrus and Vera Carp, two of the 22 zany characters from Greater Tuna, - a satirical comedy about small towns, small minds, and big hearts - return again this year to Emcee the event. These two characters had last year's Cook-Off crowd in stitches with their off-the-cuff and sometimes off-color quips. They appear courtesy of Incanto, where their play returns soon.

Restaurant Warique is our Amigo Sponsor and local bars, Andale's, Captain Don's, Murphy's Irish Pub, Nacho Daddy, Que Pasa and Winston's Bar & Grill, are our T-shirt Sponsors.

Two bottles of Patron Tequila will be raffled off. Bring a non-perishable food item for one free raffle ticket. 1 ticket per donated item. Food will be distributed to those in need. Last year it went to the victims of Hurricane Willa in San Blas.

All proceeds from the cook-off go to local charities and community projects, including:

• Supporting DIF in their support to Senior Citizens - DIF is a public institution of social assistance that focuses on strengthening and developing the welfare of Mexican families.

• Jay Sadler Community Relations Projects A.C. - In 2018, 38 projects were completed; in 2017, 30 projects; during the past 5 years, 140 projects.

Tickets to the Chili Cook-off can be purchased at the door or in advance from many of the event's sponsors: All-Access, Café Roma, Captain Don's, DZ Route 66, Escondida Sports Bar, Gringo Loco, Kelly's Pour Favor, Los Muertos Brewery, Murphy's Irish Pub, Nacho Daddy, Que Pasa, The Salty Caesar, Refugio Infantil Santa Esperenza A.C. RISE, Suriya Events and Winston's Bar & Grill. Also Making chili, Coco Tropical Restaurant, El Torito Sports Bar and Marriott Champions Sports Bar.

Doors open at 12:00 pm. Chili will be served from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and voting will run from 1:00-3:00 pm. Confirmed Professional Chili Judges include Gary Beck (Puerto Vallarta Shows: More of Beck's Best: Theater, Cabaret and More; Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide Beck's Best; Gary's Groupies), Paul Mayer (Vallarta Food Tours), Madeline Celeste (Vallarta Tribune Editor) and Jim Lee (Living Vallarta).

For more information, contact Dennis Rike of the Jay Sadler Project at dennis2rike(at)hotmail.com.

El Rio BBQ Bar is located in Paso Ancho, in a beautiful setting alongside the Cuale River, less than ten minutes from the Libramiento. (Click HERE to see map.) Bus route #4 (R04) to Paso Ancho or Paso de Guayabo drops you right at the gate. Ask the driver if he's heading to Paso Ancho if you have any doubt. For more information, call El RIO BBQ Bar at 322-222-2510.

Driving Directions: from the south or El Centro/Old Town, take the Libramiento through the small tunnel, then turn right at the signal just past the bridge. From the north, turn left at the signal after the large tunnel and just before the bridge. Free parking will be available.