By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Nov 18, 2020 at 8:15 AM

Mustaches. Milwaukee area restaurants. Chili. Men’s health awareness. 

All of these things are coming together on Nov. 19  in a virtual format that you can stream over your lunch hour.

The Movember Virtual Chili Cook-off is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19 at 11:30 and will feature five Milwaukee area restaurants battling it out live for the sake of men's health.

Participating restaurants will include Steny’s Tavern & Grill in Walker’s Point, Brass Monkey in West Alliis, Curly’s Waterfront Pub &  Grill in Pewaukee, Paloma Taco & Tequila in East Tosa  and Stubby’s Gastrogrub & Beer Bar on the East Side. And they will compete for the favor of five judges during the one-hour event which will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

During the hour-long live stream, participants will also hear from the judges, restaurant owners and other speakers who will bear witness to the importance of men’s health. The event is free to attend, but viewers are asked to consider a donation to the MOvember campaign 

Behind the event is Direct Supply MOvember, a fund-raising campaign headed up by team captain Daniel Lopez, with the hope of raising $15K (or more) in support of three aspects of men’s health:

  • Mental health and suicide prevention (Ask. Listen. Engage. Check in.)
  • Testicular cancer (Know thy nuts!)
  • Prostate cancer (Early testing after age 50!).

“In past years we’ve been able to do a lot of cool events at local bars and restaurants,” says Lopez. “But with the pandemic we’ve had to pivot to all virtual. Our hope is that we can still raise awareness, meet our goal and offer some good publicity for local restaurants.” 

For more information and to RSVP for the free event, visit the 2020 MOvember Virtual Chili Cook-Off Facebook Event.  To donate directly, visit Direct Supply MOvember.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.