On Thursday, August 21, 2025, Open Homes joined fellow REALTORS® and affiliates at the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) annual BBQ — with a brand-new twist this year: the first-ever chili cook-off. Hosted by the Los Gatos-Saratoga and Cupertino-Sunnyvale districts, the event drew more than 80 members to Linda Vista Park in Cupertino for an afternoon of food, fun, and community.
Among the contestants was our own founder and CEO, John Hayes, who brought his best recipe to the table. Competition was friendly but fierce, with four contestants serving up their take on the classic dish. After plenty of tasting and voting, John’s chili earned him second place — a close finish behind Los Gatos-Saratoga District Chair Navneet Parmar, who took first, and just ahead of Affiliate Chair David Butler in third.
While the cook-off was the centerpiece, the event was about much more than chili. John spent the afternoon catching up with longtime colleagues, connecting with new faces, and enjoying the chance to be part of such a vibrant REALTOR® community. Open Homes also shared a bit of our own flavor at the event, handing out branded swag to members and friends who stopped by.
As always, we’re proud to be part of events like this that bring together the real estate community across the Peninsula and South Bay. A big thank-you to SILVAR for organizing such a lively afternoon, to the sponsors who made it possible, and to everyone who came out despite the summer heat.
Open Homes is built on collaboration, and gatherings like the SILVAR BBQ remind us how important these relationships are — both for our business and for the community we serve. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
P.S. Navneet Parmar was kind enough to share her winning chili recipe! Check it out here.
