Young Chef Inspires Central Pa to Host Upcoming 5th Anniversary “Alex’s Chili Cook-Off for A Cause” On September 22, 2024

Alex W. Smith Foundation and Family Announce New HACC Culinary Scholarship Created to Honor Late Son’s Love Of Food By Supporting Area Students

Early Bird Tickets Are Now Available! Chefs Can Still Register To Participate!

The family of the late Alex Smith along with the Alex W. Smith Foundation are announcing a NEW Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) Culinary Scholarship being created in honor of their son and to celebrate the “5th Anniversary Alex’s Chili Cook-Off For A Cause,” to be held on Sunday, September 22 at Greystone Brew House, Dillsburg, with Premier Sponsor RbA or Renewal by Andersen of Central PA.

With a mission of “bringing people together with food” and helping to carry on their son’s legacy, the Alex Smith family and their Foundation will celebrate the fifth anniversary of this successful special event that currently provides educational scholarships to high school students and now expands to HACC students. Alex graduated as a culinary arts student from HACC and later worked as a chef apprentice at Greystone prior to his tragic passing in 2018.

Foundation President and Alex’s Mom, Terri Smith said, “We are thrilled to create this new HACC Culinary Scholarship this year to honor our beautiful son and to further support other students who share Alex’s same love for food and cooking. Our family and friends look forward to Alex’s Chili Cook-off every year and to enjoying fellowship and fun with the community and with Alex’s friends, family and former culinary students. Alex had such a big heart, was an energetic and ambitious 22-year-old who gave everyone great joy. He also was an incredible chef apprentice when he passed away and enjoyed sports and serving in the Children’s Ministry. We knew Alex dreamt of opening his own restaurant to share his love of good eats with everyone, so we created the annual chili cook-off to celebrate Alex and offer fun for all ages. The Alex W. Smith Foundation is a wonderful way to honor our amazing son, keep his memory alive, and build his legacy by bringing people together with food while helping other students and their futures.”

EVENT DETAILS – MEDIA AND PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND:

Who: Alex W. Smith Foundation

What: Alex’s Chili Cook-off For A Cause 2024 – 5th Anniversary with Premier Sponsor RbA

Where: Greystone Brew House, 303 Golf Club Ave, Dillsburg, PA

When: Sunday, September 22, 2024/ 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Tickets: alexwsmithfoundation.org or email [email protected]

Adults $25 at the door ($20 Early Bird Special through 8/31/24), Children 6-12 years old $10 and family package is $55 (2 adults/2 children).

Giving Back: Event proceeds support Central PA high school students with scholarship awards in Alex’s memory. In addition, a NEW Alex W Smith Foundation Culinary Scholarship at HACC has been created. The more raised, the more the Foundation can give back to deserving students! The Foundation relies on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our community.

Fun Chili Cook Off and More: Bring your appetites, includes a sampling of chili from some of the best local restaurants in the area and amateur chefs, raffles, door prizes, music, a cash bar, family fun, crafts and hot dogs, plus other goodies for the kids!

As of August 1, participants include Professional Chefs: Greystone Brew House, Greystone Public House, Devon Seafood & Steak, Hershey Lodge, The Chocolatier, Hilton/Ad Lib Craft Kitchen & Bar, ACF Harrisburg Chapter, Beerded Goat, Hops & Barleys Union Station, Kitchen Shoppe Carlisle, Sysco Foods, Hogan Grill @ The Hershey Country Club with more to come…

Amateur Chefs: Linda Johnston & Nancy Ryan of Renewal by Andersen, HACC Culinary Arts Program, Word of Grace Ministries, Stacy Prazenica And…Stay tuned for more!

If you are still interested in becoming a sponsor or to wish to purchase tickets for this event or participate as a chef, please contact [email protected] or visit alexwsmithfoundation.org.

Sponsors to date include:

Greystone Brew House, Greystone Public House, Renewal by Andersen of Central PA, Modjeski & Masters Inc., LM Gnazzo Promotion Strategies, Sysco Foods, Katrina Kaylor, AC&H Services, All About Kids Early Learning Center, Nancy Elhajj, Word of Grace Ministries, M & T Bank, Howard Welker, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Wizway, Ross Productions, Sons and Daughters of Italy, UPMC, Dauphin County Commissioners, Matinchek Funeral Home, Robert Vogt, Anne & Tom Salem, Salon on Forty Third, Bobby Rahal Toyota, Karns Foods, 717 Armory, The Hershey Co.

About The Alex W. Smith Foundation:

Continuing our son’s legacy through our special event, the 5th Annual “Alex’s Chili Cook-off For A Cause” to be held this year on Sunday, September 22, 2024, and hosted by Greystone Brew House, Dillsburg. Our non-profit, a 501(C)(3) was created to honor our beautiful son, Alex Smith who tragically passed away in 2018, leaving us way too soon. Our wonderful son was an energetic and ambitious 22-year-old who attended the HACC culinary program, and, was an incredible chef apprentice at Greystone Public House. He had dreams of opening his own restaurant to share his love of good eats with others. Proceeds from this event will provide financial assistance through scholarships to high school students in the Central Pennsylvania area to carry on Alex’s legacy. Plus, a NEW HACC CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP has been created.