Chef Ryan Trimm is one of four judges Saturday at a neighborhood cook off.
Sweet Grass Chef Ryan Trimm is going back to school Saturday, but he only has to walk around the corner from his Cooper-Young restaurant.
Trimm is a judge for the Sixth Annual Cooper-Young/Peabody Elementary School Chili Cook Off, one of the most fun and affordable community fundraisers in Midtown.
“Even people not affiliated with Peabody School come to this event,” said Josh Spickler, one of the event’s organizers. “Cooper-Young is very community oriented, and the neighborhood loves any excuse to socialize.”
And then there is the chili served from noon to 1:30 p.m. and expertly prepared in a myriad of ways by more than 20 different cooking teams. For $5, participants get a beverage and four generous servings of chili competing in categories such as best vegetarian and most unusual. Plus, there’s a $2 grilled cheese and lemonade option for finicky kids who don’t have a penchant (yet) for hot sauce.
Three other celebrated Memphians are joining Trimm in the judging: Tony Geraci is the director of food services for Memphis City Schools; Tiger Bryant is the owner of Young Avenue Deli; and Rick Trotter is the voice of the Memphis Grizzlies.
All proceeds from the event go toward beautifying the school campus, with such projects as landscaping, outside benches and vegetable gardens. “We like to do projects to help our school and our neighbors,” Spickler said.
The cook off also includes a silent auction with contributions such as summer memberships to the Rhodes College pool, sports camps, tickets to the Grizzlies and restaurant gift certificates.
Chili Cook Off, Peabody Elementary School, noon to 1:30 p.m., 2086 Young Ave.
