The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is serving up a tasty fundraiser this spring with its first-ever Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, April 11 at 7 pm at the Woman's Club of Upper Montclair (200 Cooper Avenue).

The culinary competition benefiting Montclair Public Schools will feature tastings of dozens of chili recipes created by area individuals and teams (both professional and non-), a craft Biergarten with Jersey's best brews, live music and desserts prepared by MACHE (Montclair Academy of Culinary Hospitality Education), a program launched at Montclair High School and funded by the Montclair Food & Wine Festival.

The chilis -- whether mild or three-alarm, con carne or veggie -- will be judged by three food world pros: Karen Schloss Diaz, Restaurant & Food Trends columnist for The Montclair Times/NorthJersey.com; New Jersey Monthly magazine's Rosalie Saferstein and Andrew Zimmer, Thrillist's New York Editor. 

The trio of judges will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons to the top chilis, while guests will select worthy winners for a People's Choice Award. 

Can a team of Montclair High state champ football coaches outcook Cedar Grove Fire Department's Company No. 1 (reigning champs of CBS Radio New York's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off)? Will entries from popular area restaurants such as Pig & Prince stand up to the town's talented home cooks? Plus cornbread from Little Daisy Bake Shop and coffee from Java Love Coffee Roasters!

Think your chili could be a contender? It's not too late to enter the competition. Fill out an entry form and email it to info@mfee.org or fax to 973-509-4098.

Questions? Call 973-509-4021. Download MFEE Chili Cook-Off Entry Form HERE

Tickets start at $35, with all guests receiving a fun commemorative bandana. Preferred tickets and sponsorships, starting at $250 a couple, come with perks like a basket of locally sourced artisanal products or a private dinner party prepared by a top Montclair chef. Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities HERE

About MFEE: The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) was founded in 1991 to generate private funding and community support for Montclair Public Schools and to enhance the educational experience of all of Montclair's public school students. It operates on a model common to all Local Education Funds (LEFs) in which collaboration -- between educators, families and individuals, community groups and local businesses -- forms the foundation for all programs and progress. For more information, visit www.mfee.org.