During the 1980s and 1990s the Coachella Valley had a history of holding excellent chili cookoffs. There were many at various venues (parks, parking lots, etc.) and with various sponsors. With the exception of Ben Hunt's Yucca Valley cookoffs, the great Coachella Valley cookoffs died in 1998 for a number of reasons.
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We are optimistic that the days of excellent cookoffs in the Coachella Valley will now continue. On Saturday, February 3rd, the Palm Desert Country Club held its first ever chili cookoff. This event was enhanced by the fact that it was combined with an IBCA-sanctioned Backyard Barbecue Cookoff. We were holding our collective breaths about two weeks ago when we received the news that the chief organizer of the event, Keith Caroselli, had suffered a heart attack and was scheduled to undergo a quadruple bypass. Keith's wife Dawn expressed that the "show would go on". What a trooper she was to pick up the reins and help guide the event to its completion. We are happy to report that Keith's surgery was very successful. He was at the cookoff on Saturday, probably doing much more than he should have been!
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Nothing is more beautiful than a beautiful day in the desert. Officially, the high temperature was 75, but it felt warmer. Only very light breezes moved the air around to contribute to the comfort of the day. The cookoff attracted only 17 chili cooks and 7 barbeque contestants, which was a little disappointing, but there were two chili teams from Arizona and one from Nevada. Those who competed were rewarded with a very nice, well-organized event. Regular Southern California chili cook Charlie Blosfield, instead tried his luck in the barbecue competition. I'm sure we heard his name being called for some awards!
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In the judging area we were supported by Fred & Leah Wieland, Claude Covington, Jeff Meads, long-time chiliheads Al & Rita Kilpatrick and "Dr." Dave Eiser. Some of the barbecue contingency also helped with the chili judging: Tom & Jennifer Duncan, Steve Grishkowsky and Kent Westfall judged all three chili contests. Some of them also judged barbecue!
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Everyone had a relaxed, fun day. The spectators were very appreciative of the People's Choice chili and seemed to be enjoying the event. A local DJ provided diverse entertainment. There was food and drink aplenty and even a raffle. I won two of the three raffle prizes; the third was taken by Mary (Waters) Nicoll. There is a lot of talk about continuing with the combined chili and barbecue contests. Perhaps there will be another as soon as April in Riverside!
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At the end of the day, the winners were:
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Salsa (8 entries):
3rd, Dick Swenberger AZ
2nd, Judy Barnes CA
1st, Cindy Haught NV, advancing to the World's Championship
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Chili Verde (8 entries):
3rd, Mike Stewart CA
2nd, Mark Haught NV
1st, Nancy Swenberger AZ, advancing to the World's Championship
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People's Choice Chili (everybody):
3rd, Russell Barnes CA
2nd, Bert Sackman, CA---a brand new ICS member who said over and over that this was one of the most fun days he has ever had
1st, Dan Plascencia CA---another brand new ICS member, who is now committed to trying to make it to the World in his first year of competition
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Traditional Red Chili (17 entries):
4th, Mark Haught NV tied with Ron Burt CA
3rd, Dennis Macklin CA, who lost a tiebreaker to
2nd, Dick Swenberger AZ
1st, Mike Austin CA
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1st Annual Cinco De Mayo Chili Cookoff
Dear Chili Friends,
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It's "Official"!!!! I just got off the phone with Vickie (ICS) and we've been ok'd for a Chili Cookoff here in the Northeast. Chili will finally return to Somers,CT. after a 10 year abscence.
The 1st Annual Cinco De Mayo Chili Cookoff to benefit The Enfield Food Shelf will be held May 5th,2007!
We are VERY pleased to have Dave Lorenz as Chief Judge and Audrey and (WCCC Red Champ 98) Steve Falkowski as Chief Scorekeepers.
Cash prizes in all categories including a non sanctioned "Youth Division".
As you know ,this will be a WCCC qualifier in Verde and Salsa!
The location for the cookoff is the Knights of Columbus in Somers, CT. It is a great location as it is approx. 6 miles from Interstate 91 and the site has water available for cooks to clean items with and it is a real pretty place to cook.
Please take the time to go to http://chilict.tripod.com/ or http://www.chilicookoff.com/ and get more info on the cookoff and sign up!
Our host hotel is the Crowne Plaza in Enfield,CT. http://www.cpenfield.com/ It is a very nice hotel on the Ma. border with easy access to the highway and every amenity you could ask for. We will have a great welcome party there for the cooks Friday night May 4th, and there will also be discounted room rates for cooks!
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We look forward to seeing you at the Chili cooks welcome party and on Cinco De Mayo!
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Sincerely,
Kat and Michael Freedman
THE MADS!!!
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Harry Lynch Update
I just received a call from Harry Lynch family about Harrys condition and it is't good. Please say a prayer and send him a card now., address below
Say a Prayer,
Thanks ,
Archie Chestnut
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Harry Lynch
P.O. box 279
Summersville WV 26651
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