MONDAY - June 2, 2008

Tustin Street Fair and Regional Chili Cookoff

At the California State Championship on May 3rd Bill and I were asked to officiate at the Tustin Chili Cookoff as Chief Judge and Chief Scorekeeper. This appointment was confirmed toward the end of the following week. With the cookoff scheduled for June 1st, we had very little time to prepare for our assignment. We made phone contact and email contact with Donna Peery, the committee person in charge of the Judges and VIP areas. She seemed very organized and was receptive to any and all suggestions we made regarding supplies and judging personnel.

We met Donna at the Swallows Inn Cookoff on May 17th, where Bill was competing. Our impressions of her were confirmed, as we discussed the Tustin Cookoff. She passed out flyers to the cooks, trying to entice more of the ICS "regular circuit" cooks to join in. This is a somewhat difficult cookoff to sell to the cooks. It is one of the oldest cookoffs in Southern California and certainly one of the largest in that area from the point of view of public attendance. Today's crowd was estimated at 35,000. Over the years there has been a perception that the officiating was not all that it could have been. Maybe true, maybe not; but sometimes perception is everything, whether true or not. Our mandate today was to run the cookoff "by the book" in every respect. Easy to do, since that's how we approach our responsibilities as Chief Judge and Chief Scorekeeper at every cookoff with which we are involved.

We can not say enough good things about the staff involved with putting on this event. We arrived at about 8:30 and were directed to the VIP parking behind the check in, judging and VIP areas. We met with Donna, who had already set up the tables for judging, and who had all of the supplies that we had requested at hand. We were offered freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, along with assorted muffins, pastries and doughnuts. Since there are a lot of local cooks competing in the ICS category, we had feared that memberships might be an issue----WRONG!! We were introduced to Sarah King from the City of Tustin, who was responsible for taking cooks applications. All of the cooks in the ICS category had either furnished a membership number or had supplied a paid ICS membership application.

This cookoff spreads over six or eight blocks in downtown Tustin. There are about fifty chili booths intermingled with sponsors and vendors booths. We were given a list of 26 cooks who had declared that they would compete for ICS chili. All of the cooks are asked to bring as much People's Choice Chili as possible to pass out to the hungry public. All of the People's Choice only cooks are required to bring at least 20 gallons. While the ICS cooks can only be required to bring two gallons in lieu of an entry fee, most enter into the spirit of the event and bring much more than that. After a 10:30 a.m. cooks meeting, we set out to make a Contestant List, confirming the presence and position of the ICS cooks. As it turned out, a couple of cooks had had a change of heart or mind regarding their ICS competition, and, with a couple of "no shows", there were only 22 ICS contestants.

With only one contest, Traditional Red Chili, it was a pretty relaxed day. The weather was comfortable; the music by various bands was all excellent. We enjoyed relaxing in the VIP/Judging area where beer and water were available all day. In the early afternoon we were served a fresh and good box lunch. As it turned out, only 21 chilis were presented for judging; one cook, having burned her pot, declined to turn it in. Since we had anticipated multiple-table judging, these chilis were judged by the full complement of 26 judges. The cookoff committee furnished 14 judges. ICS judges who supported were Tony Angotti, Mike Austin, Tony Austin, Bob Dyer, Ellen Dyer, Ormly Gumfudgin, Dave Hancock, Ron Kramer, Barry Steinberg and Sylvia Steinberg. Carol Hancock was also here and would have served as a tie-breaker had that been necessary. We were also joined by Thom and Kathy Emery of the California Barbecue Association, who are working with the ICS to combine some of their events with ours. Helping me with scorekeeping were Mary Ellen Weber and Karen Angotti. Edi Gumfudgin served as Wrangler.

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Southern California chili cooks, we ask you to give this cookoff another chance. It is a very worthwhile community event, donating a great deal of money to various local charities. Bill and I are committed to continuing as its Chief Judge and Chief Scorekeeper. There's even a chance---not a certainty, but a chance---that there will be some prize money for the ICS Traditional Red Chili next year.

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The winners were:

5th, Matt Troxel, "Heart Attack Chili"

4th, Bill Duff, "Duffy's Fantail Chili", the defending champion

3rd, Dennis Macklin, "Mi Casa--Dilligaf Chili"

2nd, Kenneth King, "Buckeye Chili"

1st, Darlene Taylor, "Mishap Chili", advancing to the World's Championship 2008

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Many of you will remember Darlene as a long-time cook, the daughter of Nadine Campisi. Today would have been Nadine's 83rd birthday. It was a very emotional win for Darlene!

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Clarksville Mo Regional Chili Cookoff

June 7th

The trophies are one of a kind. I am excited for the winners.

Come one come all.

Still plenty of room. Hate to beg,but Keeping the Regional is important to Clarksville for many reasons.

Thanks for considering us.

Linda

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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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ROUTE 66 REGIONAL

For any cooks interested in flying in for the 25th Annual Silver Anniversary Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff, we do have a couple of stoves available and some tables if you need them. We can also get a cover for you. We'll do whatever we can, short of paying for your gasoline, to have you here in Flagstaff to share this special day with us. And the Mazatzal Casino in Payson can help you out with tables on Sunday at the 37th Arizona State Championship.

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