Grumpy's Chili Cook-Off to Benefit Race for Adam

Area cooks will compete in a chili cook-off June 12 to benefit the n, which funds research of Niemann-Pick Type C, a rare neural degenerative disease.

The second Annual Bike Night Chili Cook-off will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside at  in South Whitehall. 

The foundation is named for Adam Recke, of Bethlehem Township, who suffers from the disease that currently has no cure. Adam's father, Sean Recke, is a technology teacher at , which has . Fellow Salisbury Middle School teacher Matt Tobias created the Race for Adam Foundation to help raise money to find a cure.

Those with Niemann-Pick Type C are unable to metabolize cholesterol and other lipids properly within their cells. As a result, excessive amounts of cholesterol accumulate within the liver and spleen and other lipids accumulate in the brain.

It affects less than 200 people in the United States. Most children with the disease die before age 20.

According to , Adam Recke had been jaundiced when he was born, but doctors had told his parents it was nothing to worry about and to expose their son to sunlight. Blood tests later diagnosed the disease.

 or $5 at the Chili Cook-off, those attending will be able to sample the chili and vote on their favorite dishes while raising money for the cause.

Awards will be given to first to third place, People's Choice and a Judges' Choice.

Celebrity judges will include Rick Michaels from the Michaels and Layne morning show on 99.9 The Hawk; Les Houck, vice president of the 2nd Story Blues Alliance; Adam Atiyeh, mixed martial arts fighter; Duke Velenti, local mixed martial arts promoter and security specialist; and Steven Makdes, general manager of Platinum Plus.

Voting will be in three categories: business, individual and organization.

For more information on the chili cookoff, contact Grumpy's at 610-769-4600 or email fiery90@aol.com.