TUESDAY - April 29, 2008

BUCKEYE REGIONAL & OHIO STATE

What a Great weekend for the International Chili Society. This past weekend there were 10 ICS sanctioned chili cookoffs throughout the nation. Those include 4 Districts, 5 Regionals and 1 State cookoff. Several hundred cooks and several thousands of people attended all of these ICS sanctioned cookoffs. Now, this is what I call getting the message out!

Congratulations to all the Chairpersons that organized these events and raised funds for their particular charities.

We all need to be involved in getting the word out about the International Chili Society and chili cookoffs. I happened to be a part of the Buckeye Reg. 4/26 and the Ohio State 4/27 held at downtown Port Clinton, OH. on historic Madison St.

These cookoffs in Port Clinton are chaired by 13 year Cookoff Chairman Ken Kostal. For those that have attended present and past you all know what a Great job Ken and Diane Kostal do for all the cooks and the charities.

We would be remise, if we did not pay some tribute to some of those that do an awful lot to make all this a success. First let's start with Kim Bartish (Manager) of the Holiday Inn Express and her staff that takes care of all the cooks and judges. Kim lets us have rooms for the weekend for $59 instead of the regular $109 rate. Plus we have the banquet room all set up for the Sat. night cooks party. Thanks Kim.

Also thanks to Nagoya Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar for all their efforts for our Friday night dinner and party.

Thank you to Bob Black and all his work to make sure everything does work.

And special "Thank You" to Stephanie Lowe and Cheryl Wieber of the Salvation Army Board of Directors for all their endless and enduring efforts.

There are many others that also volunteer and "Thank You" to all of you that, we and you, know who they are.

The Salvation Army was the charity of choice for the well over $1,000 raised from the chili cookoffs. Also was a side donation, raffle, gift baskets, etc., to help raise funds for the Bill "Gumby" Donavan relief fund. Ken is happy to report that he and Diane will be sending over $700 to Bill and Gail as a result of the cookoffs. We all missed Bill and Gail and are heart and thoughts go out to them.

After the Sat. afternoon cookoff we all go back to the Holiday Express for a free buffet dinner and drinks hosted and prepared by Ken and Diane and their "Big Bopper's" Restaurant.

And, what a dinner......Lobster bisque, Fresh Yellow Lake Perch, BBQ Chicken sandwiches, Sausage and Meatball Pasta, veggie trays, mini Chicken Cordon Blue bites, along with several deserts as wells as a chocolate fountain to dip your fresh strawberries. With, adult beverages to wash all this down.....WHEW!

The hospitality of all this is of one of the best in the nation. These are just a few of the things that Ken and Diane do to make all the cooks and judges welcome.

Before the cookoff Sunday morning, we all took part in a small self prayer for Bill and Gail Donovan along with those of us that have friends or family that are in need of prayer. We wish them all well!

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OK....OK.....OK.......The cookoffs

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Buckeye Regional

4/26/08

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SALSA 11 contestants (14 judges)

3rd = Sherrie Sutton 8 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

2nd = Richard Chauvin 19 pts (Windsor, ONT. Canada)

1st = Butch Sutton 23 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

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VERDE 16 contestants (17 judges)

3rd = Sherrie Sutton 11 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

2nd = Julie Netser 12 pts (Seymour, IN.)

1st = Lauren Ray 15 pts (Livonia, MI.)

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RED CHILI 26 contestants (23 judges)

5th = Jean Simmons 5 pts (Florissant, MO.)

4th = Jim Weller 6 pts (Rockton, IL)

3rd = Lauren Ray 6 pts (Livonia, MI.)...won tie break

2nd = Jill Simmons 7 pts (Memphis, TN.)

1st = Bob Kyle 8 pts (Dearborn, MI.)

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OHIO STATE

4/27/08

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SALSA 12 contestants (9 judges)

3rd = Heidi Hoover 7 pts (Columbus, OH.)

2nd = Kimberly Mallory 11 pts (Kitts Hill, OH.)

1st = Scott Barrett 12 pts. (Willow Springs, IL.)

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VERDE 16 contestants (18 judges)

3rd = Julie Netser 13 pts (Seymour, IN)

2nd = Tom Hoover 15 pts (Columbus, OH.)

1st = Larry Lentz 19 pts (Nicholisville, KY.)

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RED CHILI 27 contestants (24 judges)

5th = Sherrie Sutton 6 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

4th = Jerry Simmons 6 pts (Florissant, MO.)

3rd = Jean Simmons 6 pts (Florissant, MO.) (after breaking 3 way tie)

2nd = Lauren Ray 9 pts (Livonia, MI.)

1st = Terry Van Lehn 11 pts (Charleston, WV.)

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Terry, who has been absent from ICS chili for a short while and is back at it again and apparently never missing a beat as she storms out to take the win!

Lauren had a very good weekend, While she has qualified previously in Red Chili, this is her first qualification is Verde.

Sutton's and Simmons' seemed to be everywhere. They were in the hunt all weekend

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And, Bob Kyle's win makes his "Hat Trick" as well his wife Gail who has also completed her "Hat Trick."

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Larry Lentz's win in Verde makes him his "Hat Trick" as well as his wife Diane who has completed her "Hat Trick. That now make two couples in the WCCC for 2008, who have completed Their "Hat Trick".

Larry donated his $200 winnings from his Verde win to the Bill "Gumby" Donovan find.

Thanks Larry.

Congratulations to all the contestants, They are all WINNERS !!

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Conejo Valley Days Regional:

People's Choice:
3rd: Kyle Wilkins
2nd: Doug Roberts
1st: Kenny and Michelle
All were local cooks.
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Top Local Cook:
3rd: Curt Somers
2nd: Robert Truelsesn
1st: Jennifer Burtzloff She made it to the final table!!
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Booth:
3rd: Wayne LaFarr
2nd: Jason Desmond
1st: George Mayo Just applied today!!
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Showmanship:
3rd: Jason Desmond
2nd: Kenny & Michelle
3rd: George Mayo
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Salsa:
3rd: Jim Rasey
2nd: Eileen Beaty
1st: George Mayo A great day for him!!
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Verde:
3rd: Michelle Baumberger
2nd: Jim Beaty
1st: Jan Brown
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Red:
5th: Nibs Waters
4th: Ken Brown
3rd: Dave Thomas
2nd: Bill Ray
1st: Paul LaRoche
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Thanks to all who came out to cook and judge.The trophies and plaques are unique to this cookoff and are always beautiful.
Hope to see you all out here next year!!
submitted by Mary Ellen

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Alberta Regional and Canadian Championships

We will be hosting the Alberta Regional and the Canadian Championships on May 24 and 25 at the Crossroads Market in Calgary. We have been working hard to secure sponsors as we are doing this cookoff much earlier this year and can guarantee at this point the following prize money for each day:
Red - 1st $200, 2nd $100 3rd $50, Verde 1st $100, 2nd $50 3rd $35 - Salsa - entry fees will be returned via prize money
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We have already heard from some top cooks that are planning to attend but would be happy to see more of our chili friends attend. Joy had a recent hospital stay after an emergency Neurology appointment and there is a probable diagnosis of ALS - Lou Gherig's disease. The ALS Alberta Society will be our major charity for the event with monies raised going to research of this terrible disease. We will be selling tasting cups to assist in the fund raising.
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The schedule will be: set up - 7:00 am, cooks meeting 8:00 am, light your verde fire - 9:00 am and turn in at noon, light your red fire at 10:00 and turn in at 1:00 pm. Salsa turn in will be at 11:00 am.
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We are still working on getting rates for some local motels and if you contact us we can recommend ones that are close.

If you have any questions or wish to register please email us at: bzchili@hotmail.com

Hope to see as many of you as possible to make this a great cookoff.
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Joy and Randy Bilozir

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Smokin' in the Valley Chili Cookoff

May 17

Chili cooks and fans head to Canaan Valley Resort!

Davis, WV (May 2008) – There's going to be plenty of heat when chili cookoff contestants fire up their stoves for the third annual Smokin' in the Valley extreme chili cookoff at Canaan Valley Resort on Saturday, May 17. With categories for red chili, green chili and salsa, there'll be plenty of tasting as well!

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Nemat Odeh, Executive Chef for Canaan Valley Resort, is challenging chili and salsa chefs to sign up and show off. "If you think your chili or salsa are winners, bring your pots, your secret ingredients and your showmanship to Canaan Valley Resort," he said. "We're an International Chili Society-sanctioned District-level event so that means our Red Chili winner qualifies for the Last Chance Cookoff at the World's Championship Chili Cookoff in October and the winners of the Green Chili and Salsa competitions qualify for the "World" Championships in their respective categories."

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Chili cooks aren't they only ones who will have fun at the resort that weekend. Odeh said family, friends and guests can take part in chili sampling, arts and crafts demonstrations and plenty of other activities throughout the weekend.

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Cookoff prizes will be awarded in three categories: Red Chili, Green Chili and Salsa. Prizes for Red Chili will be offered for first place ($500), second place ($300) and third place ($150). First place finishers in Green Chili and Salsa will receive $100. The winner of the People's Choice Chili will receive $100.

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The event will begin with a camaraderie-generating Friday evening cook's party. Saturday activities will take place in the covered outdoor pavilion at Canaan Valley Resort's lodge. The cookoff will begin at 10:15 a.m., following a 9:30 a.m. cook's meeting. The awards ceremony will take place around 4:15 p.m.

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Registration for the Red Chili competition is $35 for International Chili Society (ICS) members and $77 for non-ICS members. The registration fee for Green Chili, Salsa and People's Choice is $20 per category. Pre-registration is preferred, and can be done by calling Canaan Valley Resort at (304) 866-4121, extension 2677. Cooks may also register from 7:30a.m. – 9:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Cookoff rules and information can be found at the "Events" link on Canaan Valley Resort's Web site at www.canaanresort.com.

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Crafters can display their work on May 17 for a fee of $25, and tables will be provided.

Canaan Valley Resort is offering a $59 room rate for all competitors and craft vendors during the weekend. All other guests are encouraged to contact the reservation agents at the resort to discuss customizing their mountain getaway weekend.

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For additional information or reservations, contact Canaan Valley Resort at 1-800-622-4121, or visit the website at www.CanaanResort.com.

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Canaan Valley Resort State Park, by Guest Services, Inc. is a 250-room lodge that is a Mobil Three Star Rated property. In addition to the lodge rooms, the resort boasts 23 cabins and cottages and 17,500 square feet of conference space comprised of 12 meeting rooms. You can access the Resort's web site at www.canaanresort.com.

For reservations, please call 800-622-4121.

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