MONDAY - September 4, 2006

CHILI IN THE CORNFIELD

DISTRICT ICS COOKOFF

ATLANTIC, IA

SEPT, 2

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Mark Johnson (Chairman) is not only a World Class chili cook, he has joined the ranks as an ICS Chili Chairman by hosting the first Atlantic, IA District chili cookoff and what a bang up job he did along with the help of his mother Charlene Johnson.

Mark who owns his own restaurant, The Farmer's Kitchen, were the main sponsors of the cookoff along with the help of the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic.

The cookoff was held at the beautifully restored 1800s "Rock Island Line" railroad depot in Atlantic.

Atlantic, IA was established in the early 1800s and is geographically equal distances from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans. Thus, with the flip of a coin, the name of Atlantic was chosen. And, what a great little community of 7500 this town is. This Community is the best kept secret in Iowa. Middle America at its best.

Mark and his helpers went all out for the cooks and judges with not only "goody bags" and other things, he had hand carved wooden chili pepper medallions for all of the cooks and judges.

Not to mention the "Free" buffet breakfast at his restaurant Sat. morning before the cookoff with Scrabbles eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, fruits and beverages. All of Mark's servings at his restaurant are all homemade.

A few of the contestants also enjoyed a Prime Rib dinner Friday evening at the "Farmer's Kitchen." Again, Mark's own recipe and all homemade.

You would want to watch for the Atlantic, IA. District for next year as this cookoff will get even bigger and better.

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SALSA 7 contestants

7 judges

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3rd = Deanna Pierce 6 pts (Omaha, NE.)

2nd = Allen Groom 7 pts (Atlantic, IA.)

1st = Greg Virant 11 pts (Omaha, NE.)

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VERDE 7 contestants

9 judges

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3rd = Quetin Peetz 8 pts (Omaha, NE.)

2nd = Ira Miller 11 pts (Atlantic, IA.)

1st = Greg Virant 12 pts (Omaha, NE.)

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CHILI 9 contestants

12 judges

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3rd = Sue Dudzik 11 pts (Omaha, NE.)

2nd = Deanna Pierce 13 pts (Omaha, NE.)

1st = Bill Dudzik 13 pts (Omaha, NE.) won tie break

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There were some very, very happy winners.

Greg will go to the WCCC in Verde and Salsa and Bill will represent Atlantic in the WCCC "Last Chance" cookoff. Of course, neither one has to travel very far!

The cookoff produced 3 new ICS members.

Congratulations to all the contestants. They are all winners!

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MALIBU BACK TO BACK REGIONALS

#1 AND #2

BOBBIE GAUL

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The Malibu back to back Regionals were a great success. Our new Chairperson, Dana Karney has proven to be a really great organizer. She has gotten things done that we have been trying to do for 11 years. I hope she stays in that position for a long time. The cooks were able to drive in and load up at the end of the weekend, since they now have new security people, and everyone was allowed to park across the street. Ormly was given his very own special parking place behind the stage, which he greatly appreciated.

The weather was ideal with just a slight breeze, and we had lots of help in the judging area. There are two very special people I want to thank and they are Milt and Joy Shefter. They keep the tables set up and running smoothly, and I don't know what I would do without them. They are also very good chili judges. We also had some great help from the Kiwanis people, what ever we needed was there. Gary Busey showed up on both Saturday and Sunday to lend his expertise at judging. Its always good to see Gary, he has supported this cookoff for many years. His son Jake did People's choice both days and will be cooking in competition soon. Now on to the important stuff.

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MALIBU REGIONAL #1, Saturday, September 3, 2006

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SALSA (12 CONTESTANTS)

3rd Pl. Irene Menchaca

2nd Pl. Sheila Beller

1st Pl. Don Hammes

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CHILI VERDE (8 CONTESTANTS)

3rd Pl. Joe Swiderski

2nd Pl. Brian Wolfe

1st Pl. Karen Milligan

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RED CHILI (28 CONTESTANTS)

5th Pl. Kathy Hipskind

4th Pl. Gene Beller

3rd Pl. Rick Decker

2nd Pl. Susie Dicker

1st Pl. (DRUM ROLL PLEASE) MARGO KNUDSON

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Jake Busey won Best Booth and Scott Silvey won Showmanship.

Malibu's Favorite was won by Russell Harvey

People's Choce was won by Greg Horton

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MALIBU REGIONAL #2 September 3, 2006

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SALSA (12 CONTESTANTS)

3rd Pl. Dorothy Van Wagoner

2nd Pl. Susie Decker

1st Pl. Sheila Beller

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CHILI VERDE (7 CONTESTANTS)

3rd Pl. Craig Stanton (first time Verde cook)

2nd Pl. Rik Decker

1st Pl. Jim Rasey

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RED CHILI ( 24 CONTESTANTS)

5th Pl. Gene Beller

4th Pl. Tom Hoover (Ohio)

3rd Pl. Rick Decker ( Rick and his wife Susie had a very good weekend, I think we will see them in Southern California again)

2nd Pl. Dave Thomas

1st Pl. (ANOTHER DRUM ROLL PLEASE) J.R. KNUDSON

(Guess that proves that the family that cooks together, stays together, and wins on the same weekend) We were all very happy for both of them.

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Showmanship and Booth were both won by Jake Busey.

People's Choice was won by Russell Barnes.

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Goat Gap Cooks Register

LAST CALL!

I will be closing out the Cooks Register files this coming weekend. So, if you want to be listed in the Social Directory - Name & Address List of chili folks & friends, you must contact me by September 7th. To assure the information is correct as I can get it, I will be deleting names of folks who have not purchased the 2005-6 edition (white cover with a US flag) or one of the new editions to be delivered at Terlingua (or mailed if you are not there) or have contacted me in the past few months. Cost of the book is $20 or $2 for a full listing (payable to Goat Gap Gazette), sent to: PO Box J, Waxahachie, TX 75168-0356. Information can be sent via e-mail by filling out the form on the web site, or just an e-mail with the appropriate information. 972-351-0022 or goatgapgazette@sbcglobal.net or www.goatgap.com

Debbie Eiland Turner

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