DC101 Chili Cook-Off Promises Spicy Chili & Hot Bands

DC101 Chili Cook-Off Promises Spicy Chili & Hot Bands

28th Annual Fundraiser Takes to the Streets of DC

WASHINGTON, April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Now in its 28th year, the DC101 Chili Cook-Off benefiting the National Kidney Foundation is DC's hottest block party featuring top bands and dozens of the area's best chili cooks competing for top honors. The event is set for Saturday, May 12, 2007, from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm at 11th Street and New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, the site of the former convention center.

True to its name, the Chili Cook-Off boasts a fierce competition between 101 chili cooks in four categories: Salsa, BYOC, Red Chili, and Green Chili. The winner of the Red Chili category goes onto the ICS World Championship in the fall. Among the judges will be Sara Albert, a finalist in last year's "America's Top Model" reality series starring Tyra Banks.

News about the DC Chili Cook-Off has spread across the pond, and the BBC is sending a crew to film a sequence about chili con carne for a program featuring chef Heston Blumenthal. Blumenthal is the proprietor of The Fat Duck in the UK, voted the world's best restaurant in 2005. Using science in the kitchen, Blumenthal is aiming to "perfect" each of eight classic dishes, including chili. The DC Chili Cook-Off sequence will be included in an episode of this eight-part series.

In addition to the chili competition, the event features an outstanding lineup of musical acts including Jet, Three Days Grace, Buckcherry, Breaking Benjamin, Silversun Pickups, and the winner of DC101's "Last Band Standing Contest," who will be named on April 29 at the Clarendon Grill.

Cruze, Program Director of DC101 said, "We are really psyched about this year's Chili Cook-Off! The chance to raise real money for the National Kidney Foundation, while checking out amazing music from this lineup of bands totally rocks. Bring on the chili!"

Preston A. Englert, Jr., President and CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area said, "We are proud to partner once again with DC101 on one of the biggest events in DC. The Washington, DC metropolitan area leads the nation in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease, but the Foundation is addressing the epidemic with its preventive screening program, Knock Out Kidney Disease (KOKD). This new program will allow us to truly affect change in the health of our region in the area of kidney disease. The Chili Cook-Off is a major fundraiser that helps make KOKD possible."

Growing in stature and gaining momentum every year, the DC Chili Cook-Off is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. Last year's Cook-Off attracted 15,000 people and raised over $700,000 dollars for the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area. Major sponsors for the 2007 Cook-Off include Bud Light and Prospect Cycle Werks.

Tickets are $30 in advance through Ticketmaster, or $45 at the gate. Take Metro to Metro Center or Gallery Place.

Press: Please call 202-244-7900 ext. 29 for credentialing.

The mission of the National Kidney Foundation is to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well being of individuals and families

affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for

transplantation.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area

CONTACT: Michele Anthony (chili) of National Kidney Foundation of the
National Capital Area, +1-202-244-7900, ext. 29; Cruze (bands),
+1-301-587-7100 of DC101

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