Meet the team behind the 10th Annual Vegan Chili Cook-Off!

Emma Cameron

What’s your role on the Chili Cook-off Committee? I’ve been coordinating the volunteers, making regular posts to the CAA and TCVF social media pages (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) advertising the event, and otherwise doing tasks that come up!

What else have you been up to this winter? This winter has mostly been about moving from Madison to Minneapolis! I started working for Mercy For Animals this past summer, working remotely. Given the remote nature of my role, I considered making a move to a few different cities, and ultimately went with Minneapolis. Since December, I’ve been getting settled in, meeting people, and exploring the vegan offerings of the Twin Cities.

What’s your favorite outreach event outside of the chili cook-off? I’m not sure that I have enough experience to say yet, but I imagine it will soon be the Twin Cities Veg Fest!

Do you have a favorite kind of chili, topping, or side? If I make chili, I love to add some type of corn chip topping, and I prefer to stick to the bean-based varieties, as opposed to those with mock meats. I also think it’s absolutely essential to serve cornbread with chili!

Luna Guo

What’s your role on the Chili Cook-off Committee? Marketing consultant and helping to plan the overall event.

What else have you been up to this winter? Everything! Dancing, horses, skating––I’m always doing something. I like to keep myself active and busy.

What’s your favorite outreach event outside of the chili cook-off? Twin Cities Veg Fest is kind of amazing, and by kind of I mean really. I love having all the delicious food in one spot and connecting with other people and the different organizations at the event.

Do you have a favorite kind of chili, topping, or side? I love making chili with all sorts of mock meats. You can have toppings and sides? I’ve been eating it all wrong then! [A note from CAA: We’d like to assure you that there is no wrong way to enjoy chili, whether you enjoy with toppings, sides, or sideless.]

Maya Ulrich

What’s your role on the Chili Cook-off Committee? My role is student outreach and general communication between the student union and CAA.

What else have you been up to this winter? My life as a student is pretty active. I have been running all over campus trying to keep up with all of my commitments. I am working at the Weisman Art Museum, volunteering with Friends of the Free Arts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Aurora Center, and I’m an intern for Take Action MN. Honestly, staying busy has been the only thing keeping me warm in these cold winter months.

What’s your favorite outreach event outside of the chili cook-off? I really have enjoyed bake sales on campus in the past, but tabling and pay-per-view is always pretty great. You really get to connect with the Compassionate Action for Animals community.

Do you have a favorite kind of chili, topping, or side?I really like doing simple bean-based ones, because they are cheap and easy to make. Sometimes I’ll throw in some tofu too!

Volunteers make the Chili Cook-Off happen (and get in free)! Sign up here to get involved as a volunteer or get your ticket here to this year’s cook-off. See you on Saturday, February 23 at 6:00 pm!