SUNDAY - May 25, 2008

Ontario Provincial Chili Championship

Results for Saturday May 24

Chili Verde

3. Todd Rizzo

2. James Richards

1. Chuck Hoff (Now the two-time defending champion)

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RED Chili

Three-way tie for first.

3. Kit Hoff

2. Lynn Berkebile

1. Gary Ray

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INLAND EMPIRE REGIONAL

In our yard in Riverside we have a young magnolia tree, three or four years old. It is in bloom for the first time, and it is spectacular. It is covered with fragrant blossoms twelve inches or more in diameter. All over Riverside the magnolia trees in the median of Magnolia Avenue are exceptionally beautiful this year. If you have been to the Inland Empire Regional Cookoff, you know that the event is held on Magnolia Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Riverside, by closing it to traffic for about six blocks for the day. Imagine your chili booth sitting up against the median of Magnolia Avenue crowned by mature, fragrant and stately magnolia trees. The fragrance is only diluted by the spices wafting from the various pots of chili verde, traditional red chili, people's choice chili and community chilis being prepared beneath them.

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This event grows every year. From a simple beginning six years ago, the Arlington Business Partnership, under the leadership of Judy Teunissen and Allison Dale, has expanded the numbers of chili competitors, crafts vendors, kidzone participants and car/motorcycle show entrants to fill every available space along the Avenue. The event is not lacking in public participation either. Looking out from the judging area at about 11:00 am we could barely see the contestants' booths for the hordes of hungry chili tasters lined up to make sure they got their fill of the concoctions presented. And the crowds did not thin until after 2:00 pm when the chili was mostly gone. We have not had an official (police) count, but we would be surprised if there were not more than 12,000 spectators in attendance today.

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After torrential rains, and even a couple of tornadoes, in Southern California the last couple of days, we were fearful that the weather would spoil our event. We woke to overcast skies and dampness all around, which did not bode well for our event. The weather forecast on the internet said "Mostly Cloudy". It could have said "All Cloudy" and it would have been true. The sun broke through and blue skies showed themselves only very briefly during the day. But no rain fell and no wind blew, temperatures hovered around 70 degrees and it was a perfect day for tasting chili!

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Bill and I arrived at the site at 6:00 am to officiate as Chairpersons of the chili cookoff portion of the event. One cook was already there setting up her booth. Chief Scorekeeper was Allene Macklin, and Dennis Macklin was Chief Wrangler and General Helper With Everything Needed. Steve Porter was Chief Judge; his lovely wife, Linda, assisted with Scorekeeping. Claude Covington, of World's Championship fame, was Emcee. Since this is a Community event, it is very family-oriented. Claude does an especially good job with the "Little Miss Chili Pepper" and "Little Mr. Hot Sauce" (twelve-and-under) contests!

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The day progressed and the chilis were judged by the judges and by the public. Prize money totals $3,875, plus two $500 gift certificates for winners in the Community Cooks categories. At the end of the day, awards were presented at about 4:45 pm to the winners, who were:

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Salsa (16 entries):

5th, Irene Menchaca

4th, Red Brecke

3rd, Eileen Beaty

2nd, Sachiko Brecke

1st, Bob Dyer

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Chili Verde (11 entries):

5th, Patricia Sanchez

4th, Judy Clarke

3rd, Nibs Waters

2nd, Jim Beaty

1st, Bob Dyer

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This completes Bob's Hat Trick. We have proud to say that Bob has earned all three legs of his Hat Trick at cookoffs at which Bill and I have officiated.

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ICS People's Choice Chili (All contestants):

3rd, Geraldine Villalpando

2nd, Russell Barnes

1st, Chris Nicoll

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Best-First-Time ICS Cook:

Steve and Tish Crawford

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Best Restaurant Cook:

Jose's Mexican Food

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Community Cooks (7 entries):

3rd, Ruth Teunissen, Teunissen RV and Car Wash

2nd, Lee Anthony, Fuel Handlers Chili

1st, Frank Schiavone for County Supervisor

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Finally, Traditional Red Chili (23 entries):

5th, Nibs Waters

4th, Ken Brown

3rd, Russell Barnes

2nd, Mike Ford

1st, Red Brecke

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BACK TO BACK REGIONALS

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COOKS CORNER, JUNE 7TH

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WESTMINSTER ELKS, JUNE 8TH

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June 7^th and June 8^th are fast approaching. Cooks Corner will be held on June 7^th. If you were there last year you know how much fun it was, and if you weren't there last year maybe you should check it out. If you are already qualified, we can always use Judges. We don't want to lose this Regional, so come out and support Don. Prize money is RED: $500.00, 300.00 200.00, VERDE: $300.00, 200.00, 200.00, SALSA: $100.00. Entry fees are $35.00, 25.00 15.00, and 1 gal People's Choice. Prize for PC is $100.00. The proceeds from this cookoff will benefit Bill "Gumby" Donovan's Medical Fund. Cook's Corner is located at 19152 Santiago Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA. For more info contact Rhonda@cookscorners.com

or RATSHACK2@AOL.COM

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Westminster Elks Lodge Regional will be held on June 8^th. They always give the Chili cooks a warm welcome. I am sure most of you remember the cookoffs held here in the past. Prize money will be sponsored by Nibs Waters. Prizes are RED: $500.00, 300.00, 200.00, VERDE: $200.00, 100.00, 50.00, SALSA $100.00. Entry fees are $35.00, 25.00 15.00, and 1 gallon Peoples Choice. As with Cook's Corners if you are already qualified please come out anyway and judge. The Lodge is located at 6391 Industry Way, Westminster, CA. For more info please contact Paula at 714-892-2346, or Don Hammes at RATSHACK2@AOL.COM

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