LATHROP – Second chances do happen. Even for chili cooks whose dishes did not quite make it to the top three winners in the recent cook-off in Manteca to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.

That second chance is being offered by the Lathrop Seniors Advisory Commission in cooperation with the city Parks and Recreation Department. The chili cook-off they are sponsoring will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, as part of the annual Lathrop Days. Judging will begin at 6 p.m. and tasting will start at 6:30 p.m.  The public is invited to this fund-raiser benefiting the Lathrop seniors, either as contestants or taste testers.

Judges will be Lathrop-Manteca Fire District Chief Fred Manding, Lathrop Police Chief Dolores Delgado, and Lathrop Save Mart manager Joe Ribeiro.
Marlene Taylor who is helping coordinate the event said there will be three cash prizes awarded to the top three chili-cook winners - $100 for first prize, $50 for the second finisher, and $25 for the third-place winner.

Visitors who wish to taste-test the chili dishes will be able to do so for a donation of $6 for each “big cup,” Taylor said. She said there will be a “house chili” also that will be available for guests to taste, as well as chili dogs. As part of the seniors’ fundraiser, there will be corn dogs ($1.50 each) and hot dogs (a buck apiece) plus sodas to go with the meal.

Taylor and some members of the cook-off committee went before the City Council meeting last Tuesday to make the announcement and invite city officials as well as the viewing public to attend the event.

“That’s one of the best events of the year,” pronounced Mayor Kristy Sayles about the seniors’ chili cook-off.

The event will be held at the Lathrop Senior Center at Valverde Park on Fifth Street in Historic Downtown Lathrop.

To contact Rose Albano Risso, e-mail ralbanorisso@mantecabulletin.com or call (209) 249-3536.