MONDAY - January 22, 2007

Ground Hog Chili & Barbeque Cookoffs

Hey, Chili Cooks and Judges,

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We are just two weeks away from the Ground Hog Chili & Barbeque Cookoffs at the Palm Desert Country Club on Saturday, February 3rd. This ambitious event features all three ICS categories---Salsa, Chili Verde and Traditional Red Chili. It also features three categories of barbecue, as sanctioned by the IBCA---ribs, chicken and tri-tip. Basically, the barbecue portion of the competition is conducted on wood or charcoal grills (no propane). The IBCA rules seem to be somewhat simpler than the Kansas City rules.

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This promises to be a unique competition. Organizer Keith Caroselli is a long-time chili cook. He has done an excellent job with the organization of this event. It is important that prospective cooks get in touch with Keith or Dawn Caroselli right away, as space is limited to 25 chili booths and 15 barbecue booths. Walk-in cooks may not be able to be accomodated.

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Keith and Dawn may be contacted by phone at 760-200-0508 (work) or 760-200-0205 (home) or by email at kcaroselli@dc.rr.com. Any questions about chili competition can be directed to Chief Judge, Bill Ray by phone to 951-683-5987 or by email to Chiliray94@sbcglobal.net. Questions specific to the barbecue competition can be directed to Chief Judge, Thom Emery by email to thomemery@aol.com.

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Hope we see you there.

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Chilly Willie Chili Challenge, Orland Park IL

Results are in and the winners are:

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CASI - 34 entries

1st Wes Carlson, Loves Park IL
2nd Jim Weller, Bloomfield Hills MI
3rd Scott Barrett, Willow Springs IL
4th Bert Centers, Lisle IL
5th Jeff Netser, Seymour IN
6th Mike Usiak, Chicago IL
7th Kimberly Mallory, Kitts Hill OH
8th Eric Shepherd, Montgomery IL
9th Julie Netser, Seymour IN
10th Kathy Martin, Huntley IL
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ICS

Salsa

1st Tim Flynn

2nd Jim Stoddard

3rd Dave Mallory

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Verde

1st Mike Stephens

2nd Dave Mallory

3rd Scott Barrett

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RED - 32 entries

1st Jim Deere (14 points)

2nd Julie Netser (13 points)

3rd Mike Usiak (11 points)

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Mexican Nationals - by Susan Baumberger

Due to an unexpected series of unfortunate events, the cook population currently scheduled for the Mexican Nationals is very low this year. Many "regulars" are missing due to such reasons as death of a spouse, illness, and various scheduling conflicts. All three days are "State" or "National" cookoffs, so there need only be seven cooks in order for the winner to win a "qualified" cookoff. Airfares are exceptionally low (LAX to Guadalajara $287 round-trip, non-stop, Alaska Air, for example -- about half of last year's fares!).

If you have never cooked in Ajijic, you should seriously think about this cookoff. If you haven't qualified, if you're sick of the cold weather, or if you just want to have a mini vacation in the middle of the winter, you should seriously consider cooking in Ajijic. This is a great one, and there's nothing like it.

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Forsyth and Winterfreeze Cookoffs

On Jan 13th, and 14th, the 8th annual Winterfreeze and the 2nd Great Forsyth Regional (1st yr as regional) were held. While the weather was initially very threatening in a central Illinois way - snow and ice and cold temp.s - it held off and the cookoffs went on. The Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth is a fun filled venue with a lot to do during those lull periods while cooking. Winterfreeze is held in the KC council 364 hall. The cookoff goes on in the banquet room with a band, while on the other side of the facility the NFL playoffs are on several huge screen TVs. In both cases the public got treated to great chili and fun packed days.The winners are:

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Winterfreeze Winners

SALSA

1 Joanne Roach, Charleston, IL

2. Dave Schmitt

3.Chris Heck, Springfield, IL.

VERDE

1. Les Eastep, Rochester, IL

2. Georgia Weller, Bloomfield Hills MI

3. Paul Wessing, Farmersville

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RED - 31 cooks

1. Georgia Weller, Bloomfield Hills MI

2. Aldo Klinghammer

3. Lynn Virant, Omaha

4 Bob Hall

5 tie Linda Curtin, Tom Calvert, Jim Schmedeke

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Great Forsyth Regional Cookoff

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SALSA

1 Scott Barrett, Willow Springs, IL

2. Linda Curtin

3. Dave Drum

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VERDE

1. Julie Netser, Seymour IN

2. Georgia Weller

3. Lloyd Weir

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RED - 34 cooks

1. Jeff Netser, Seymour IN

2. Bob Hall

3. Jim Weller

4. Mike Goodman

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Thanks,

Larry Eastep

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