AAMD Annual Chili Cook-Off : A Tradition of Flavor , Fun , and Friendship
by Bob Donahue
At AMLI Residential , one of the most anticipated events of the year is the AAMD Chili Cook-Off . This time-honored tradition has become much more than just a fun competition ; it ’ s a celebration of community , creativity , and camaraderie among our teams . For us at AMLI , the Chili Cook-Off is serious business , but it ' s also an incredible opportunity to connect with our communities and each other .
Our annual journey to the AAMD Chili Cook-Off begins well before the event itself . Each year , AMLI hosts an internal chili competition , where the real magic starts . Every community is represented by a chili chef , and the contest to create the best chili ignites across the company . The best part ? It ’ s an all-day affair where all community managers embark on a flavorful road trip to taste-test each chili entry . And when I say road trip , I mean it ! Our enthusiastic Area Vice President , Shannon — who doubles as a van driver extraordinaire — rents a huge van and chauffeurs the entire team from community to community across the city .
The day is filled with laughter , conversation , and of course , the occasional sweat from sampling the extra-spicy batches . Shannon , as our fearless driver , navigates us through the city like a seasoned limo driver , and if she ever wanted a second career , I ’ m certain she would thrive in that role ! Each community adds its unique flair to the competition , from creative decorations to thoughtful details like providing TUMS ( a necessity after a long day of chili tasting !). Some teams prepare incredible side dishes to complement their chili — think tender pork belly or other delectable , homemade treats . And the chili itself ? You ’ ll find everything from fiery red chilis to classic green varieties , each with its own twist . No matter the style , every dish is packed with passion and flavor .
One of the best aspects of the day is seeing the pride on the face of each chili maker . Everyone pours their heart into the dish , and the enthusiasm is contagious . By the end of the day , we ’ re all a bit “ chili ’ d out ,” but the fun doesn ’ t stop there . The toughest part comes next : voting for the winner . With so many amazing entries , it feels almost impossible to choose just one .
After the internal competition wraps up and the champion is crowned , we shift gears and focus on preparing for the main event : the AAMD Chili Cook- Off itself . This is where our teams truly shine . Planning for the event becomes a collaborative effort , tapping into the diverse talents of our AMLI FAMLI . We ’ ve got planners , builders , chefs , bartenders — you name it , and someone from our team is stepping up . Together , we pull together a cohesive theme that embodies the spirit of AMLI , and we bring our vision to life at the event . It ’ s all hands on deck , and we wouldn ’ t have it any other way .
The Chili Cook-Off is one of the highlights of our year , and it ’ s easy to see why . It ’ s not just about the food ; it ’ s about the connections we build , the fun we have , and the memories we make . It ’ s an event we look forward to every year , and rest assured , we wouldn ’ t miss it for the world !
Speaking of WORLD , we hope that all AAMD members are as excited about the 25th Anniversary AAMD Chili Cook Off as the AMLI FAMLI is ! The theme is “ A World of Chili ” and there are several themed awards to be taken home , as well as the traditional traveling trophies and all the bragging rights . Get registered today , and we look forward to seeing you on October 19th at the Redi Carpet warehouse !
Bob Donahue is the Community Manager at AMLI Denargo Market www . aamdhq . org OCTOBER 2024 TRENDS | 29