I enjoy cooking, but lately I have really started to appreciate make-ahead freezer meals (prep them for the week, defrost the one you need and go!) and crockpot dinners.

The crockpot has been a long-time favorite of mine, especially in the fall when the leaves start to change and I put a pot of chili on to cook and simmer, blending together all those wonderful flavors and spices.

And has it so happens, I have recently found myself in the market for four people to create chili-cookin’ team to participate in the 2017 Young Trustees’ Chili Cook-Off. The Chili Cook-Off is an all-day family fun event featuring a 5K/Fun Run, Chili Cooking Competition, children’s activities and a tailgate-inspired beer garden where attendees can enjoy watching the K-State football team take on Texas Tech.

The Chili Cook-Off is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, at Blue Earth Plaza. The proceeds of this even will benefit several non-profits through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and the Young Trustees of Manhattan.

Meadowlark will be entering a team into the Chili Cook-Off Competition. The team will received t-shirts, koozies, drink tickets and a 20-percent discount at HyVee for one-time use of supplies. If you are interested in joining our team—we need three to four residents to participate—then please contact me at (785) 323-3878 or via e-mail at sarah.duggan@meadowlark.org.

I love to cook, watch KSU football and enjoy a good brew, so this is my kind of party! Please contact me by Friday, July 28, if you would like to join the winning team!