Remembering Schroon Laker Bobby Matchutas

We can almost smell the crawfish boil from here! And that means it’s the annual Witherbee's Carriage House Bayou Bob Crawfish Boil, which started Friday and goes until tonight.

As in previous years, Bill and Patty have had thousands of pounds of the muf bugs flown in fresh from Louisiana for this special event, which memorializes Louisiana native and long time Schroon Lake resident Bobby Matchutas.

Bob taught Bill and Patty all of the secrets to a traditional Louisiana Crawfish Boil, including a dizzying array of spices and the precise timing required to achieve that authentic Cajun taste.

Witherbee's Carriage House. 581  US Route 9, Schroon Lake. 518 532 9595

Chili Contest Heating Up

The slide show above features scenes from the inaugural 2011 Schroon Lake Chili Cook Off.

It’s now on – the 2012 Schroon Lake Chili Cook Off is shaping up to be a real contest now with more entries than last year. And it’s the lads and lasses from area Fire and Rescue Squads  and EMT outfits  who have turned up the heat to make this one heck of a Chili smack down. – Could a reality TV show be far behind?

Organizer Shelby Davis tell us that Frank Meade and his team from the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department are on board.

And new home cook entries also include community gardener, artist and lake ice skater Juie Sawyers and Torri Shufelt from Mountain Lake Services.

And there some very cool names for some hot bowls of chili:  Dog Pound Chili, Great Bowls of Chili and Chili Chili Bang Bang. What's the name of your chili?

And the best part is that there is still plenty of time to enter The registration deadline is February 18 so what are you waiting for.

Email Shelby at shel@shelbyskitchentherapy.com or call her cell at  734-604-5834.

And if you are wondering about the Got Chili pic on our main page, It's actually an apron. Shelby says each cook registered receives  a one complimentary apron. There'll be extras for sale at the cook off. Pick up yours for $10, and of course all the proceeds go to Schroon Lake EMS.

The registration fee is $20.00 per chili entered. The registration deadline is Monday, February 18, 2013. (The registration fee is waived for members of any rescue, fire, ambulance or other public safety department.)

Guests will be able to purchase chili tasting tickets for $1 each, a bowl of chili for $5, or an unlimited tasting wristband for $15.

You can learn more about the cook off and get entry forms at the Chili Cook Off Facebook page

Where and When. The Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club. 11:30- am – 2 pm., Saturday, February 23, 2013 

Super Specials For Schroon Super Bowl Fans

This time last year we were all psyched when the New Jersey New York Giants were in the Super Bowl  - and won!!

This year it’s a different story, although fans of the big game in Schroon still win with some local restaurant specials.

DeCesare’s Pizza has a deal on two 12 cut cheese pizzas w/ 2 orders of wings for $40 plus tax.

And there’s the one pie 8 cut deal with 1 topping with an order of wings for $19.95 plus tax.  Deb recommends you pre-order.

At Alpine Pizza they are doing their famous wings. 12 for $10.95, 30 for $24.95 and 50 for $38.95. They are served with blue cheese dip and celery.

Next door at Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse,Chris and Shelby have slashed prices on some of their favorite eats.

A rack of ribs that usually goes for $20 is now $18. An order of deliciously smoky and grilled ribs is $9 for 12 (Regular price is $6 for 6). These babies come with your choice of the House, Sweet or Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Sauces.

The game will be shown on the big screens at Witherbee’s Carriage House, Flanagan’s and the Timberwolf Pub.

Who are you rooting for? What are you making for your Super Bowl Party? Tell us in comments.

Are You The Next Chili Champ?

As we speak, we know of several folks who at this very moment, are perfecting their chili recipes for the big 2^nd Annual Schroon Chili Cook Off. (Hello Chris P?)

And organizer Shelby Davis hopes that several new additions to this year’s event will bring out more folks to what she hopes will become a Schroon Lake tradition.

“Last year we learned a lot with the first cook off. This year all the bumps have been ironed out, and we are ready to go,” Shelby told Schroon Laker.

Among the changes this year: a new venue, new veggie only judges and a new category to attract area emergency services folks.

“The Cook off will be held at the Schroon Lake Fish and game Club. They will have an open cash bar with soft drinks available.

“We also have chosen judges who are vegetarians, who will choose the best veggie chili.

“And we really want to get as many local Emergency Service organizations involved by having a special category for these folks. We’ve al heard about legendary fireman’s chili, so now is the chance to come out and ‘Bring It’”

The Ticonderoga Emergency Rescue team, North Hudson Volunteer Fire Department and the Schroon lake EMT squad have all signed up.

And Shelby is very excited about the home cooks who have entered.  This is a category that I really want to encourage people to enter. Every family has its own chili recipe, so don’t be shy.”

Chili cooks will compete in the categories of Best Meaty Chili, Best Veggie Chili and People's Choice Award.

If your are a home cook, with that contest winning recipe, you need to contact Shelby to arrange the details of how you can get your chili into the contest.

Just like last year, 100% of the proceeds go to the Schroon Lake EMS Department.

The registration fee is $20.00 per chili entered. The registration deadline is Monday, February 18, 2013. (The registration fee is waived for members of any rescue, fire, ambulance or other public safety department.)

Guests will be able to purchase chili tasting tickets for $1 each, a bowl of chili for $5, or an unlimited tasting wristband for $15.

You can learn more about the cook off and get entry forms at the Chili Cook Off Facebook page

Are you going? Tell us what’s your favorite chili?

Where and When. The Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club. 11:30- am – 2 pm., Saturday, February 23, 2013

Good Eats In Schroon This MLK Weekend

For DeCesare fans Deb and her crew have been busy in the kitchen whipping up some of their famous soups. This weekend you can get their Homemade Hamburger Mac, Cream of Broccoli, Homemade Chili and New England Clam Chowder.

This is the last weekend for Mr. P’s featured special "Jalapeno Popper Sandwich", which we devoured last weekend, which is pictured on our main page!

It’s your choice of either pulled pork or chicken, with chipotle cream cheese, grilled jalapenos, and cheddar cheese. Or you can y=taste test some chili – Chef Chris and Chef Shelby have been cooking up in advance of the 2^nd Annual Schroon Lake Chili Cook –Off, coming up on February 23.

And don’t forget the all you can eat Sunday brunch for $5.99 at Joanie’s Goodies on Main Street. 

Got restaurant or food specials you'd like us to know about? Leave them in comments or email them to us at schroonlaker@me.com.