Matt Zaleski / 2016 Board President January 18, 2017
Office: 419-691-5058 / Mobile: 419-345-5206
PACT to Host Kielbasa Cook-Off Saturday, May 6, 2017
Call for Contestants
(Toledo, OH) — The Polish-American Community of Toledo (PACT) has announced that the organization is looking for contestants and sponsors for the Sixth Kielbasa Cook-Off, to be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the St. Clement’s Community Center, 2990 Tremainsville Rd., Toledo. The hours for the event will be announced at a later date.
The Kielbasa Cook-off, which was last held in April 2016, features homemade kielbasa from old family recipes. The event, opened to the public, allows people to sample the special kielbasa recipes and vote for their favorite. Amateur kielbasa makers from all over the area compete for the title of Toledo’s Kielbasa “King” or “Queen”. In 2016, nearly 750 people attended as twelve contestants battled for bragging rights. The team of “Polska Pryba” led by Jeremy Pryba received the most votes and the title Kielbasa King.
Besides earning the distinction of having the best homemade kielbasa in the area, contestants can also receive cash awards and / or trophies for their efforts. The competition is open to anyone that makes their own kielbasa. Commercial entries will not be part of the amateur cook-off.
”People in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan are so proud of their ethnic heritage. Most families have those special homemade recipes that have been passed down from generation-to-generation. PACT is looking for best homemade kielbasa recipe. This is a friendly competition. We want to taste that secret family recipe for kielbasa,” said Stan Machosky, Past President, PACT.
In addition to contestants, PACT is also looking for sponsorships for the Kielbasa Cook-Off.
“We’ve had requests from the Polish community, elected officials, and local media to make the Kielbasa Cook-Off bigger. There’s been some interest in expanding the Kielbasa Cook-Off with a separate commercial competition, as well as making it a two-day event. The market is dictating that they want this event expanded. To do that, PACT would need more community support and several corporate sponsors,” said Matt Zaleski, 2016 PACT President.
Money raised goes to fund the annual PACT / Toledo Poznan Alliance (TPA) Scholarship Competition and the capital campaign for development of Polish Community Center in the Toledo area. Over the past five years, PACT and TPA have awarded over $17,000 in scholarship money to area Polish-American high school and college students.
PACT would like to hear from interested contestants or sponsors no later than March 1, 2017. Amateur kielbasa makers who are interested in participating can contact PACT Board Member, Jack Sparagowski at 419-356-1811, or email PACT at info@polishcommunity.org.
