Sharpsburg library's chili cook-off returns in new location, same spirit

A spicy way to honor a Sharpsburg man and support his hometown will take place later this month.

The Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off is planned for Friday, Feb. 23, at the borough building, 1611 Main St.

The event takes place the day after National Chili Day and is designed to benefit the Sharpsburg Community Library.

It’s named in memory of the impassioned volunteer known for his homemade pepper spices and trained 5-foot leucistic rat snake named Popeye.

Chefs and taste testers are needed.

The cost for contestants is $10 and $15 for tasters.

The event is scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Chefs are expected to arrive by 5:45 p.m. and be prepared to serve the first round of tasters from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

The second round is scheduled from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

Registration is available at coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org/sharpsburg.

The inaugural cookoff was in 2018. The contest was canceled the past four years because of the pandemic.

“It’s been too long since we’ve had it,” said Sara Mariacher, library branch manager. “It was really fun. We had never done fundraisers at the Sharpsburg location on that scale before we started the chili cookoff.”

It was moved from the library to the borough building this year to have more space.

“We are working toward a bigger and better event this year,” said Nadine Ostrowski, library development manager.

“We are hoping the whole community really comes out to support the event — but everyone needs to make sure that they register as either chefs or tasters.

“Right now, we are not planning to allow walk-ins the night of the event.”

Chefs will each provide a gallon crock pot of chili made in any style and ingredients. Tasters will receive a small sample of each chili and will have a coin to put in a jar in front of the chili they like best.

Awards will be given for first, second, third and tasters’ choice.

The fundraising goal is $2,000.

Judges will be 2019 second-place winner Juliah Gibson, Sharpsburg-area District Judge Matt Rudzki and Habegger’s sister, Lisa Strauss.

In memory of

Habegger, a Shaler resident who grew up in Sharpsburg, spent a great part of his life outdoors and trying to help the borough.

Winner of the 2019 chili contest, he was a founding member of the Sharpsburg Environmental Advisory Council. He coordinated with PennDOT to acquire gloves, vests and bags for volunteers of communitywide trash cleanups.

The 1997 Fox Chapel Area High School grad also volunteered time to Venture Outdoors, Walk Bike Shaler, Friends of North Park and Bike Pittsburgh. Habegger also was instrumental in many James Sharp Landing projects.

He turned a hobby into a business and launched Just Right Spice, which provided a variety of seasonings with different kinds of peppers.

Habegger died Nov. 23, 2020, of suspected covid-19. He was 60.

Mariacher hopes the chili contest will be a fitting tribute for Habegger.

“Robert was a tremendous benefit to the entire community,” she said. “He was always at community events, interacting with folks, educating them about his snakes as pets, and about spices and cooking and gardening.

“He was always competing in our chili cookoff for the two years that it existed pre-pandemic. He was an all-around good guy. He genuinely cared about everyone he encountered and making the community a better place.

“We’re only regretful that it took four years for it to happen again. His memory will live on in that way, and he will be benefiting the community for years to come.”

Mona Lisa Café and Catering is one of the major sponsors of the event. It’s run by resident Lisa Weber and will be providing bowls of chili for everyone.

Additional sponsors include Ferra’s Automotive Services. The Sharpsburg business has served Allegheny County for 70 years from its same location.