Constantine: No beans about it (for this writer anyway)

I have a confession to make.

For nearly five years I've been keeping a secret from News Sentinel readers, and it's time the truth came out.

I'm not proud of what I'm getting ready to reveal, but here goes.

I do not eat beans.

Green, brown, black, white or mottled in color; it does not matter. I do not like them.

And that's why, regretfully, I declined an invitation by Second Harvest of East Tennessee to judge its Chili Cook-Off.

I hated to say no.

Second Harvest does amazing work and I want to be supportive of them whenever possible.

But I didn't think it fair to the contestants. The folks at Second Harvest agreed.

Never did I imagine other ways I could have helped until I spoke with Carol Costello, who is on the board of directors for Second Harvest and is a professor for the hotel, restaurant and tourism management program at the University of Tennessee.

She told me about a project her students (many from the "Introduction to Convention and Meeting Planning" class) had undertaken in regard to the Chili Cook-Off.

Their interest was fueled by Costello's requirement that each student volunteer to help organize a local event so they get firsthand experience with the process.

"My goal is to give them experience so they can see if this is something they really want to do. It's not all fun, and a lot of it is very detailed work," she said.

She's impressed with what the group volunteering with Second Harvest has accomplished so far.

"Students have hung up posters all across campus announcing the event and how to get tickets," she said.

They even helped Second Harvest with its Internet site.

In years past the site has focused on how to sign up to be a competitor. The students suggested offering online ticket sales and expanded information on the actual event, including an entertainment lineup.

All that is now available at www.etnchilicookoff.com

And for the first time the event will go green.

"I've got to give one student credit. She thought up recycling. She contacted Keep Knoxville Beautiful and they are going to be involved," Costello said.

Plastic recycling bins will be placed around the World's Fair Park and the empty bean cans donated to the competitors by Bush Brothers will also be recycled.

In addition the students will help set up on Friday evening and break down on Saturday evening.

There are 23 competitors, preparing 25 gallons of chili each, who will welcome their help.

This year I'll be a visitor to the event, enjoying the live entertainment, watching crazy folks compete in a hot chili pepper eating contest and searching for a competitor who prepared chili without beans. That's the least I can do to support such a good cause.

Next year maybe I'll volunteer to recycle empty bean cans.

That's a job I would relish.

Mary Constantine may be reached at 865-342-6428.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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