WEDNESDAY - July 5, 2006

Garden Grove Elks Regional - Bobbie Gaul

GARDEN GROVE

JULY 4TH

CHILIFEST REGIONAL

If you have never been to the Chilifest Regional at the Garden Grove Elks you are missing a great venue for a cookoff. It is all grass and shade trees and fairly easy access. They have several different contests for Amateurs (Big Daddy Cookers) and ICS Cooks alike including People's Choice and Patriotic Booth. There is also an Amateurs judging by our Judges. Jim Hitt won the Amateurs contest.

Allene & Dennis Macklin won best patriotic booth among the ICS cooks. And Allene and Nancy Swenberger split the $100.00 given for People's Choice since they both had the same amount of votes from the public. The judging is done inside the Lodge which makes for a very comfortable area since it is air conditioned.

Nibs Waters was awarded with a plaque for his contribution and support of Cookoffs and the Chili Society in general. Nibs whole family was there to support him this weekend, and cook of course. I think it is always great when everyone in the family gets involved, which is as it should be since these are family affairs.

Now for the fun part. We had 22 Red Cooks, 10 Salsas, and 10 Chili Verde. There were 3 states represented, Swenberger's came in from Arizona, the Summer's now from Nevada, and the rest from California. Dave & Kathy Hipskind came down from Northern California to support the cookoff. It is always nice to see them. MaryEllen Weber was there and her help was very much appreciated along with my Sister Marge Malone and Edi Gumfudgin. And the winners were:

SALSA:

3rd Pl. Jim Rasey

2nd Pl. Charlie Blosfield

1st Pl. Mike Ford

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CHILI VERDE:

3rd Pl. Bill Waters

2nd Pl. Karen Milligan

1st Pl. Barry Steinberg ( It was nice to see Sylvia out and about and doing well)

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ICS RED CHILI:

5th Pl. Kathy Hipskind

4th Pl. Nibs Waters

3rd Pl. Fred Summers

2nd Pl. Nancy Swenberger

1st Pl. Charlie Blosfield (Charlie hasn't been cooking long, but he has been racking up the wins. Good going Charlie)

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Calgary Stampede Championship

A beautiful day in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Ranchman's Restaurant. They had many events going on including Mutton Busting for kids 10 and under, A great American Picnic, celebration of Canada Day and of course the ICS Chili Cookoff. The weather was warm with a slight chance of thundershowers in the afternoon. They passed us by without a drop of rain. The music was loud and good with a local country western Band doing the honors.

Results of the cookoff are as follows:

SALSA -

3rd place Jan Sprouse Las Vegas, NV,

2nd place Larry Weltikol Las Vegas, NV

1st place Joe Barrett, Worley, ID.

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CHILI VERDE-

3rd place, Joe Barrett,

2nd place Jan Sprouse,

1st Place Larry Weltikol.

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ICS RED

3rd place Joe Barrett,

2nd place Larry Weltikol,

1st Place Marilee Barrett, Worley, ID.

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Many thanks to the owners, staff and spectators of the Ranchman for a good cook off even though it was a little confusing in the beginning. Sara (last name?) the chairperson, did a wonderful job but could have used more help, The score keeping and judging was done with expertise.

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$15,000 plus at Fire On the Mountain (Snowshoe)

A quick reminder that one of the largest, superbly organized and true “serious $$$ prize money” qualifiers of the year is this coming weekend – Fire on the Mountain Regional Cookoff at Snowshoe West Virginia. Salsa and Verde on Friday the 7^th of July; Red ($10,000 First Prize) on Saturday the 8^th.

For those that have never been, as those that have cooked there before can attest, it is a beautiful location at the top of the mountain (approx 5,000 ft – adjust cooking as appropriate) with lots to do. It can also be cool, especially in the evening, so plan clothes accordingly (bring a jacket).

Hope to see a lot of you there,

Sergei Kowalchik

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Maine Back-to-Back Chili

Happy 4th of July, to all.

Just to let you know, folks...

Baltimore & or Philadelphia to Manchester, NH is available for $39-48 each way on Southwest.

And, no, I have no pecuniary interest in Southwest...I just watch their fares.... I got a similar deal from Providence to Phoenix when I cooked Flagstaff/Payson, AZ.

And, I managed to lose 14 pounds in the 118 degree heat!! But, it was a DRY heat. (I think chocolate chip cookies are baked in a dry heat, too!!)

Joe Harvey

Chief Judge

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