Copley High School Remembers Student with Chili Cook-Off

If you are looking for a good way to warm up on a cold winter’s night, there should be plenty of heat at the 5th annual Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Bake-Off to benefit the Lauren Audrey Braman Memorial Music Fund.

The event, to be held on Feb. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Copley High School Commons, has become a popular place to meet up with friends, sample and judge dozens of chili and dessert recipes, and support a good cause.  

The cook-off honors the memory of Lauren Braman, a 16-year-old Copley High School sophomore who died in 2006, following a six-month battle with leukemia. Lauren is the daughter of Dr. Ken and Cristine Braman, of Copley. She was an honor student and a percussionist in the Copley High School Marching Band.

Funds from the event will help the band stretch its budget, said Cristine Braman.

“The money could be used to purchase new instruments or pay for the rights to use music,” she said.  “So far, funds have been used to buy mallets, a marimba and a soprano saxophone.”

The event was started by Copley’s National Honor Society to begin a scholarship fund in Lauren’s memory. That fund is now endowed and provides a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior each year.

Braman believes her daughter would have enjoyed the chili cook-off created in her memory.

“Lauren would have loved the fun, the atmosphere and the creativity that people put into their displays,” she said. “And she loved desserts. For her 15th birthday, the theme of her party was "Brownie Bake-Off" and we had 20 girls at our house sampling different brownies.”

Braman said there will be at least 20 chili entries and 15 desserts this year with Copley High student groups, church groups, friends, families and amateur chefs all vying for bragging rights. Awards will be given to the judge’s pick for best overall chili and dessert, the best chili and dessert by popular vote, the best display, and the best student entry.

Chili entries typically come with themed displays. For example, the chefs who concocted a Caribbean chili also built palm trees in their garage and transported them to the cook-off. The students marketing their “Arabian Nights” chili dressed as harem girls and crafted display camels. A heart-healthy vegetarian chili was the focal point of a Valentine-themed booth.

“The desserts have been a great addition to the event,” Braman said. “Popular items in this competition have included lemon bars, cake balls dipped in chocolate, molasses cookies and chocolate chip cookie pie.”

The event will also feature a raffle with prizes ranging from a Copley stadium seat, coaching lessons offered by Copley track assistant coach John Legrair and a Victorian-themed Hower House gift basket. Entertainment will be provided by band and choir students.

Admission is $7 (free for children under 5), and includes all food samples. Competitors are still welcome. Entry fees for competitors are $30. For more information, contact Braman at 330-665-2559 or by email