The trouble started with a bathroom break. When a Torrington Area Health Inspector was doing rounds in the area, they stopped into town hall to use the restroom since there aren’t any other public restrooms nearby. That’s when they saw the offending flyer – Chili Cook Off! March 1st, music by Glori Wilder. Trophies awarded!
Jennifer Markow and Michelle Shipp of Parks and Rec were at the Parish House, cleaning up from serving 36 people at the community breakfast, just a few days before the event when they got the call. The inspector asked Jen some questions about the event and said she’d get back to them. A few hours later, her supervisor called back. They were informed the cook-off portion of the event could not be held unless all chilis were prepared in a certified kitchen and had a place to reheat if they fell below proper temps. Surprised, Michelle remarked that “this event was so similar to our Halloween party that we followed the same protocols as we were given for that one.”
That event was apparently an exception, the supervisor explained, and that they’d come to inspect the event and shut it down if hot chili was found. In fact, no hot food could be served.
But with the band booked and the community looking forward to a fun-filled Saturday, Jen and Michelle pivoted. They dipped into the Parks and Rec budget to pay Nardelli’s sandwich shop to provide an impressive spread of grinders, chips, and other snacks for the night and reissued an updated poster.
When Cornwallians heard about the forced plan update, there was no love offered to Torrington Area Health. Charges of bureaucratic overreach, collective eye-rolling, and hoping that the DOGE wrecking ball would come for the agency were among the sentiments offered on the Community Network. Michelle Shipp and other members of the Parks and Rec team were polite, but their frustration could be read between the lines. They kept the message positive and respectful, offering suggestions of writing to local authorities and congresspeople to get common-sense exceptions on the books for chili cook-offs and potlucks and other such events.
In the end, their efforts paid off. By conservative counts, 100 Cornwallians and friends showed up, ate, and drank happily. Glori Wilder, who grew up in Cornwall, was delighted to play on the stage she remembered and sang a mix of originals and covers that got many in the crowd up and dancing once the lights were lowered. AND, if nothing else, the chili controversy gave all those attending something to talk about.
—Bill McClane
