There are two issues. One is the safety issue you describe. The other is simply to have it heated sufficiently to be appetizing. All I can say is that you are right to take measures so that it is really hot prior to the start of serving. One idea would be to start reheating while getting ready for work, then wrap the pot in towels while traveling.

So far as what others do... Well, there's a limit to the amount of responsibility you can take on your own shoulders. I hope it turns out well. Let us know.

Jim

Take along an instant read thermometer and insert it into each pot of chili before it is served. If it is less than 165* then more heating is necessary to be safe. Other foods served hot may need different temperatures to be safe.

Since you have already gone off to work today with your chili, you probably won't be reading this and it will be too late, but I thought I'd post it for those who take "pot luck" dishes that have to be served hot.

Nancy the nancedar

Well, I decided to heat up my chili before I went to work. I started it in its pot on the stove at my friend's house (where I was borrowing a big crock pot). I started it on high thinking I could turn it down once I got a little heat into it, but it started burning almost immediately, so I gave up on that and transferred all but the burned layer to the crock pot, and heated it in the microwave. When I got to work I plugged it in, and then about 90 minutes later I brought it out to the cookoff where they kept it plugged in for about 2 hours. I didn't stay to find out how the other people heated theirs...I didn't eat any either, since there was other food at this fair.

I did bring up the food safety concerns with the organizer while discussing logistics for my own chili, so I guess Jim is right, that's all I can do. Nancy, the idea about the thermometer is great; if I ever run something like this I'll definitely use that. A few years ago many people got sick after eating catered food at a robotics competition in Richmond...I can't remember why.

Thanks for the advice! I love having this forum as a resource. Yesterday at work I gave the safety presentation at our staff meeting, and I chose food safety. It was easy to plan, and at the end I gave a little sidebar on botulism and the risk of canning green beans in a BWB. People seemed interested and asked questions, and today at the diversity fair my coworker pointed out that his barbecue sandwich was below 140°. They learned something via me thanks to this forum!

Melissa

You did well Melissa, by using those opportunities to spread awareness of food safety. It must have given pause to the organizer and your safety presentation was timely, to say the least! Sooner or later, most likely sooner, everyone you spoke to will face a pot luck situation and will remember your advice.

Next time, volunteer for the committee and use your clout to set up better procedures.

We had a similar "diversity" luncheon where I used to work. Thankfully it was a spontaneous, grassroots happening and was highly enjoyable. It would have been ruined if been one of those "you are encouraged to attend" sort of things. I became locally famous for my lima beans which, ironically, I had learned to prepare totally from my friends who were instigators of the luncheon. They are good!

Jim

I've seen people get sick after eating a hot dog off the grill. A whole family had food poisoning that same night, except one kid to passed on the hot dogs.

I work for the electric company and they really do a good job with focusing on diversity. This fair was huge, it was sponsored by the central VA diversity council (we have a council for each of our major geographical areas). Everyone was encouraged to attend but not forced, and they had buses going to it from the downtown areas where people don't want to move their cars. Supervisors made accommodations with the workload, so even the union guys came out.

My favorite part was the fashion show. The theme of this year's fair was "powered by generations" so we got to see some of our coworkers macking it down the runway dressed up in outfits from the past few decades. And of course they had some linemen modeling past and present safety clothing...I'll take the JC Penney work clothes catalog over GQ anytime. ;-) Of course I would never make such objectifying comments at work. 0:-)

Melissa