MONDAY - September 17, 2007

Connecticut State Results

The Connecticut State Chili Cookoff has just completed its 15^th year with a very capable Sharon Willard at the helm. She does everything from signing in the cooks to setting up tables in the beer garden. On top of all that, she has a wonderful group of volunteers from the Community Action Agency of New Haven that lend a hand from morning till evening. The cooks love to come to this cookoff to support the charities of the Community Action Agency and the spectators come out rain or shine. This year it was both. First the rain (and 60 degree weather) then the sun came out in typical Autumn in New England fashion. We could have done without the wind, but only one tent was lifted, and that was even after the cookoff. This was the last qualifier for the World Championships in the Northeast, so the competition was fierce. We also have a category call the "Omaha Cup" that allows the cooks who are already qualified to cook a practice pot and be judged separately. It was in all, a wonderful day and a great end to the 2007 cookoff season in the Northeast. The 2008 season starts on October 13 with the Hudson Valley Regional Cookoff at Woodstock Harley-Davidson in Kingston, NY.

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Winners list:

People's Choice: Paula Cunningham and Paesano's Chili from CT

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Salsa:

3^rd – Rich Omerza, PA

2^nd – Rich LaFrance, MA

1^st – Chris Bucifero, CT (last year's winner in this category)

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Chili Verde:

3^rd – Rich LaFrance, MA

2^nd – Mario Saccoccio, CT

1^st – Rhone Carr, NJ

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Red Chili:

5^th – Mike Kropp, NH

4^th – Scott Navaroli, MA

3^rd – Jim Miller, PA

2^nd – Dave Schulman, CT

1^st – Jerry Buma, MA

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Omaha Cup: Mike Freedman, CT

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Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the cooks.

We will see you in Omaha!

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MISSOURI STATE

-HURRY, JUST 11 DAYS AWAY

We are quickly approaching 50 COOKS!!! Register today, and you may be on your way to the International Chili Society's World Championship in Omaha, Nebraska, October 5^th-7^th, to vie for $25,000!!! Don't be left out!

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"Power To The Pepper" is this years theme for the National Kidney Foundation's 32^nd Annual Chili Cook-off and Salsa Competition at Westport Plaza, in Maryland Heights(St. Louis) Missouri. Great Food and Great Music will highlight a fabulous Saturday. Registration is open thru September 21, 2007, however you may register, for an additonal fee, all the way up until Saturday, the 29^th.

For details, please call 314.961.2828 or email cmiller@nkfstl.com

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Michael Goldstein-Event Chair

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"Chiliblast 2007"

Florida Championship

Hotel Information

The Clearwater Central Hampton Inn located at 21030 US Hwy 19N has a rate of $79.00 for the contestants You can book your reservation at www.hamptoninnclearwatercentral.com and put in the group code of CHI or call (727) 797-8173 and mention that you are with the Chiliblast 2007 group to get this rate. This rate and availability are not guaranteed after October 19, 2007. This rate is good for November 9th, 10th and 11th. Thanks and we are looking forward to seeing you on November 10th.

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Grace Walter

On Monday, September 17, Grace Walter, mother of cook Les Walter, grandmother of cook Kim Eckley passed away at 89 years young. Some cooks may remember a spry and onery Grace attending cookoffs and handing out people's choice. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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Les Walter

245 Hammonds Lane

Baltimore, MD 21225

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Kim Eckley

1400 Willow Oak Drive

Frederick, MD 21701

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Thanks!

Ghon Eckley

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