A new concept hoping to create new conversations over good food begins next week with the Community Table. Inspired by a recent trip to Scotland, Connie Gordon reached out to restaurants around Durango to put on communal dinners at a large table but with a maximum reservation of two.
The idea is to eat dinner with unfamiliar to meet new friends and create a larger sense of community. The inaugural event will be held 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Primi, with subsequent dinners the following Tuesdays on March 3 at Carver’s Brewing Co. and March 10 at Union Social House.
It’s free to sign up, with 10 to 12 spots available, and conversation is encouraged. Diners are responsible for the cost of their own food and drinks. Reach out to the host restaurants for reservations.
One of Snowdown’s longest running events, the Chili Cook Off and Bloody Mary Contest, returns Jan. 31. While contestants can technically sign up day of and still compete, event host Greg Yucha said ideally participants register by 8 a.m. Jan. 30. The chili and cocktail contests run congruently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Event Center from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 31.
There are five categories for chili – vegetarian, salsa, green chili, traditional red chili and homestyle red chili. The Bloody Mary contest features awards for judges’ and peoples’ choices, plus four other categories, including spiciest, best garnish, most unique and best costume.
For competition details and to register, visit snowdown.org/pages/chili-bloody-mary-contest.
