Not long before the pandemic hit the U.S., Victor Werany — better known as Vic the Chili Man — announced his retirement. He planned to sell his business, including the chili cart, its branding, and access to his recipes, to Josh Parel. When the packed Uptown streets that kept the chili cart in high demand during lunch hours went quiet amid the shutdown, Werany decided to use the cart to help feed others while the worst of the pandemic played out. Partnering with Chris Sottile of The Loyalist Market, Werany helped feed school kids, as well as first responders.
Now that he’s officially sold the business, Werany is focusing on his nonprofit, catering, and delivering special orders. Though he’s known for his chili, Werany’s catering options span far beyond that signature dish. At a recent event, for example, Werany served passed appetizers including sausage-stuffed mushrooms, buffalo chicken meatballs, and pimento cheese-filled bacon rolls. For a wedding, he put together a build-your-own taco bar.

“That’s kind of the fun of what I do,” Werany says. “Being away from Chili Man, I get to cook a whole lot more different things.”

One of the things that drove Werany to retire as The Chili Man was ongoing knee problems, exacerbated by hours of standing behind the chili cart each week. Even with catering events, the days leading up to the event followed by set up, service, and breakdown left Werany in pain for days following the event. With his wife in a steady banking job, Werany says he balances his schedule to ensure he has time to recover. On weeks he’s feeling good, he offers home delivery private cooking services of chili, pimento cheese, and more. 

“That’s the beauty of doing the private cooking thing, is that with the delivery I can do it on my own,” Werany says. “If I feel good next week, I’ll put out another menu. If I feel like my knees are still kind of hurting a little bit, then that’s enough for a week. And my customers are always good with that.”

Werany also puts a significant amount of time into running his annual fundraiser, SHRED Charlotte, which raises funds to buy medical equipment for kids with rare disabilities. The skateboarding-themed event includes a skateboard art sale, auction, and more. The upcoming event will mark the 10th iteration of the event and take place on May 14, 2021.

There’s also, of course, Werany’s other love, skateboarding, to keep him busy.

“I have my own stupid crew of older guys and we all go skateboarding every Sunday,” he says. “And if I can’t do that, then I’m doomed.”

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