Sharpsburg library's chili cook-off draws crowd, honors former winner

A food-tasting fundraiser brought folks from Sharpsburg and surrounding towns to the borough building in memory of a community legend.

At least 60 people participated in Sharpsburg Community Library’s Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off on Feb. 25.

They including 10 competitors and 25 registered taste testers.

“This is the best day of my life,” exclaimed Lisa Caprera of Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood after sampling some servings.

The air was filled with the smells of simmering sausage, ground beef, beans and peppers — as well as a variety of spices.

The inaugural cook-off was in 2018. The contest was canceled the past few years because of the pandemic.

The competition moved from the library to the borough building to allow for more space for cooks and guests.

Sara Mariacher, library branch manager, and Nadine Ostrowski, library development manager, coordinated the event. Mariacher also served as its emcee and awards presenter.

“This is the first time we’ve done this since 2019,” Ostrowski said. “The community’s been talking about it and asking when it was coming back. They were waiting for it and watching for it and asking Sara about it. My expectation is that next year this place is going to be a little fuller, and I’m expecting by 2026 we’re going to have to move to a bigger venue.

“It’s a community event that people want to come to. It’s the kind of thing they want to do. It’s not just a fundraiser where you’re just giving money and not getting something in return. You get to come here. You get to talk to your friends. You get to talk to the chefs. It’s a really well-rounded community event.”

Council President Adrianne Laing said the food was delicious, adding it was great to see council chambers used for more than just meetings.

“I think it’s great,” she said. “I like the crowd and I like this event.”

More than chili

The event was renamed this year in memory of Habegger, the impassioned volunteer known for his homemade pepper spices, trained snaked and cheerful attitude.

“He was a good spirit,” said Jamal Etienne-Harrigan, a fellow food vendor. “Robert was a great vendor, and I’m glad you guys have honored him tonight.”

Etienne-Harrigan’s mustard pork chili earned second place, the silver spoon.

He streamed the event live on the Facebook page Whatcha Snackin On?

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.

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

Habegger’s sister, Lisa Strauss, was one of the judges this year.

“He’s smiling down at all this (with) his big smile,” Strauss said. “I’ve had his chili, all his spices and everything. His had more of a kick because he made his own spices, so he used all of his own spices. … It was an honor for me to be here.”

Strauss brought yellow shirts with a snake and spices on it in memory of her brother and handed them out to many attendees.

Other judges were 2019 runner-up and traveling cooking instructor Juliah Gibson and Sharpsburg-area District Judge Matt Rudzki.

They selected Big Daddy Chili by Sheila Skrinjar of Pittsburgh’s Morningside as the overall champion.

“We all here completely cleaned our cups out, and we want to take some home,” Gibson said.

Skrinjar’s concoction featured local ingredients, including Iron City beer and meats from Frankie’s Sausage in Sharpsburg.

“It’s my first time doing this,” she said. “I’m floored. I’m just stunned. I go to the library here in Sharpsburg frequently and want to support the library. I think it was done very fairly. Everyone was supportive of each other. The chili makers helped each other when we were running out of outlets and places to hook up and heat up our chili.”

Tasters’ Choice winner Matt Seethaler of Sharpsburg thanked his family and others who made it possible for his Texas-style chili to become the people’s champ.

“I’d like to thank Giant Eagle and Sam’s Club, my wife and daughter,” Seethaler said. “I think taking the meat and cubing it, searing it individually in small batches, upgrading the meat, keeping ingredients fresh (set my chili apart from the rest).”

Bronze Spoon winner Carol Dutkovic of Sharpsburg earned third place with her Hungarian chili. Her contribution had a secret ingredient as part of a cultural recipe.

She declined to spill the beans on her mix.

Mona Lisa Café and Catering, run by resident Lisa Weber, was one of the major sponsors of the event. Weber provided bowls of chili for everyone.