Roseville Celebrity Chili Cook-Off March 15

ROSEVILLE - Twenty local community leaders will put on their chefs' aprons and go head-to-head in a special chili cook-off to benefit two organizations that serve Placer County youth.

 The 2013 Roseville Celebrity Chili Cook-Off will be held on Friday, March 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Maidu Community Center. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance; $25 at the door if available. Children 8 and under are free.

 This is the second year for the chili cook-off, with last year's event raising about $20,000 for anti-bullying programs and to support Campus Life and the Coalition for Placer Youth. Fox 40 Morning Host Paul Robins, Roseville Mayor Susan Rohan and Sierra College President Willy Duncan will be among this year's chefs.

 About 300 people are expected to attend and organizers are continuing to recruit sponsors for the event.

 "We are gratified by the support from the community," said Rob Maxey, director of Campus Life programs, which offer teens an opportunity to grow in the areas of character, confidence, responsibility and faith. "Our celebrity chefs did a great job last year and we are excited so many have returned this year. They are looking forward to a great competition."

 Top sponsors this year are Westpark Associates, Alpine Mortgage, Spectrum Wealth Management and Sunridge Realty. Other sponsors are Auburn Constructors, Halldin Public Relations, TESCO Controls Inc., Windermere Realtors of Granite Bay, Capital Cellars, Icing on the Cupcake and Brookfields Restaurant. 

"Last year's event was terrific - helping to build awareness for our youth programs and have an entertaining evening," said Shari Crow, Coordinator for the Coalition for Placer Youth. "We are looking forward to a great event again this year." 

Among the celebrity chefs who will be participating - and competing - for the best chili:

• Roseville Mayor Susan Rohan
• Roseville Vice Mayor Carol Garcia of Community 1st Bank
• Placer County Supervisor Jack Duran
• Sierra College President Willy Duncan
• Granite Bay High School Principal Mike McGuire
• Oakmont High School Principal Rob Hasty
• Roseville City Councilmembers Pauline Roccuci and Bonnie Gore
• Roseville City School District Trustees Hallie Romero and Susan Duane
• Roseville Police Chief Daniel Hahn
• Roseville Fire Chief Marcus Reed
• Fox 40 television anchor Paul Robins
• Steve Pease of Sammy's Rocklin Island Bar & Grill
• Roseville businessowner Ray Diamondstone of Our Growing Concern
• Lillie Apostolos of Tommy Apostolos Fund
• Nick Brooks of Sunridge Realty
• Eich Middle School Principal Marc Buljan
• Roseville Parks and Recreation Director Dominick Casey
• Miss Placer County Sydney Lorek

 Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at www.RosevilleChili.com or by calling (916) 857-0660. Tickets are $25 at the door.