TUESDAY - June 24, 2008

The "Triple in Cripple" Results

Three days of Regional cookoffs proved to be fun filled for all involved, and to the winners each day, a big congratulations to you for qualifying for the World's. We had 6 states represented (AZ, CA, CO, NE, NM, TX ) in these cookoffs. Besides the cookoffs, there were sand sculptors, wood carvers, a Prowler car show, plenty of live music daily, and big crowds, especially on Saturday. Blue Margaritas were the "rage", and lots of the crowd and cooks enjoyed them. The weather was perfect in Cripple Creek ( 9494 ft. up), until Sunday when fifteen minutes before turn in, we were deluged with rain.

The Friday night cooks party at Carr Manor (the old school house) was a very thoughtful touch to a very nice weekend, with snacks and drinks included for all to sit around and get to know each other.

Special thank you's go out to Eldon & Helen Likkel for hosting this event in their town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and to all the casinos who donated prize money, judging spoons, grapes, sour cream, flour tortillas, chips for salsa, quaternary ammonia tablets for the washing stations (to satisfy the health department), and the use of Colorado Grande Casino's kitchen for washing of pots/pans and disposal of waste water. Chief Judge, Bob Plager, had lots of help in the judging area, with Helen, her daughter Shannon, and future son in law Justin, helping out in score keeping. Bob & Louise Dinneweth drove in from Kingman, Arizona to also help with score keeping, numbering of booths, etc., and kept everything running smoothly in the judging tent. Kathy Plager, who kept Bob Plager in line, also helped in score keeping and anything else needed to keep these cookoffs running smoothly. Matt, did a fantastic job as M.C. daily, and Danny, Ted, John & Roger were overall wranglers for anything needed in the judging and big tent. To all, a very big THANK YOU!!

Over $6500 was raised for the non profit Chamber of Commerce by selling of tasting cups, bar sales, and entry fees. The Chamber supports many charities, and donates to many worthy causes.

Long time ICS cook, Harold Timber (1983 Red World Champion) was cooking in all 3 days events. He was pleased to come out of retirement after 20 years of not cooking. It was great seeing him out again.

Now for the winners:

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Hot Time Regional (Friday - Red only) - 20 contestants

6th Place (HM) - George Lott CO (3 way tie for 4th)

5th Place - Stephenie Smith NE

4th Place - Judy Wedemeyer CO

3rd Place - Lynn Kost Virant NE

2nd Place - Mike Rook CO

1st Place - Kay Rook CO - Roll IT!! (Completes Hat Trick)

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Chili Ole Regional (Saturday)

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Furthest Traveled - Nibs Waters CA

Best Booth - Priscilla Licon CO

People's Choice - Mick Weiss CO

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SALSA - 17 contestants

3rd Place - Lynn Pruett CO

2nd Place - Nolan Cordova CO

1st Place - Tulio Pena CO (New cook)

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CHILI VERDE - 22 contestants

5th Place - Diane Gatschet CO

4th Place - Mike Gatschet CO

3rd Place - Priscilla Licon CO

2nd Place - Stephenie Smith NE (lost tie breaker)

1st Place - Dick Swenberger AZ (Giddy happy little kid - Completes Hat Trick)

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RED - 20 contestants

5th Place - Priscilla Licon CO

4th Place - Lynn Kost Virant NE

3rd Place - George Lott CO

2nd Place - Mike Rook CO

1st Place - Nibs Waters CA (Yes people, he won by 6 pts. over 2nd) - Truly a happy moment in his 83 year old life

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Mile High Regional (Sunday)

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People's Choice - Johnny Chapman CO

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SALSA - 15 contestants

3rd Place- Paul Cordova CO

2nd Place - Lynn Pruett CO

1st Place - Mike Rook CO

CHILI VERDE - 19 contestants

5th Place - George Lott CO

4th Place - Kathy Weiss CO

3rd Place - Sue Dudzik NE

2nd Place - Al Henry CO

1st Place - Steve McNicol CO

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RED - 20 contestants

5th Place - Mick Weiss CO

4th Place- Stephenie Smith NE

3rd Place - Mick Joplin TX

2nd Place - Mike Rook CO (That's FOUR 2nd Places in 8 days for Mike)

1st Place - Gary Hunt CO

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Thank you all for coming, despite high gas prices.

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Downtown Vacaville Chili Challenge

The Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District (DVBID) is looking forward to hosting the 1^st Annual "Downtown Vacaville Chili Challenge" on August 16^th. The weekend festivities begin Friday night with the music, food, drink and fun at the "Creekwalk Concert Series". This free concert is sponsored by the city of Vacaville and held at Andrews Park which is only a flame thrower away from the site of the cook-off. Take a look at www.creekwalk.com for details. It will be worth your effort to arrive Friday night and enjoy the concert and after visit the restaurants, shops and places of liquid refreshment that make up Historic Downtown Vacaville. On Saturday morning plan to buy fresh vegetables for your receipts at the "Downtown Vacaville Farmers Market". Please visit www.downtownvacaville.com for more information regarding the farmers market and driving/parking directions to Downtown Vacaville. The cook-off site is directly behind 1 Town Square in the middle of Downtown Vacaville. The day of the cook-off there will be live music from 10am to 5pm, food, drink and merchandise vendors and all that Downtown Vacaville has to offer. We will also be judging the "Best Solano County Fire House Chili" and the "Best Downtown Vacaville Restaurant/Bar Chili" in events aimed at bragging rights for the winners. Please refer to www.chilicookoff.com for more information and on-line registration.

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Bruce Newton

Chili Chairman

Bruce.newton@bankofthewest..com

707 494-6441

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