MONDAY - Aug 4, 2008

Studio Diner Regional Chili Cookoff, August 3^rd

From Riverside to San Diego is about an hour-and-a-half to two hours. We came home after the Western Regional Chili Cookoff on Saturday to tend to our pets, have some dinner and grab some zzzz's. Back to San Diego on Sunday morning for the Studio Diner Regional Chili Cookoff. This was the second year for this event, which earned Regional status the year before.

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Have you ever cooked or judged chili on a movie set? Well, maybe when the World was held at Paramount Ranch. This cookoff gave the cooks and judges the opportunity to do just that. It is held at the Stu Segall Productions Studio Lot, adjacent to Studio Diner of Food Network "Diners and Drives" fame. This is an active movie lot, and the parking for cooks and judges was a short distance away due to the fact that the available space at the studio was taken up by productions currently being filmed.

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The cooks and judges were treated to a complimentary breakfast on the Studio Diner patio, which overlooks 20-plus acres of buldings and area comprising the production lot. At the cooks' meeting we were told that our good friend, Tony Dalbis, himself a former Marine, had passed on at about 8:00 pm the previous evening, following a long battle with cancer. We were then introduced to the founder of the "Injured Marines Fund", a 501(c) 3 Charity, who explained that the mission of the charity is to provide housing, meals and transportation for the families of Marines who are being treated at the Balboa Military Hospital and their families. The therapy afforded by allowing the Marines to leave the hospital and to visit with their families is extremely valuable to their healing. There are presently 80 Marines in residence at the Balboa Hospital.

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At the awards ceremony Red and Sachiko Brecke were introduced and announced that, because of the raffle at Western Regional Chili Cookoff, they had reached their goal of $500, which they were donating to the "Injured Marines Fund". At today's event Sachiko had conducted another raffle, with some items left over from yesterday's raffle, plus some other things that they "had around" and some El Pato products. They raised an additional $109 for the "Injured Marines Fund". In addition to this, Red cooked People's Choice Chili, which enhanced the tasting available to the public who purchased tasting kits. What an incredible effort of support by this couple!

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The judges are treated very well at this event. We were set up on an air-conditioned movie set with white tablecloths and everything we asked for in the way of supplies and condiments. Soon after we arrived to sign in for judging, the food began to arrive. Congenial servers presented a pasta dish, crab cakes with remoulade sauce and red pepper aioli sauce, an incredible fruit platter, salad with fresh dressings, wines, beer, coffee and a cooler full of sodas, sports drinks and bottled water. These were all refreshed hourly for the duration of the cookoff. Speaking of judges, it is greatly appreciated that the Beatys, the Brashiers and Maud Swick traveled from Bakersfield and the Caimis traveled from Las Vegas to judge, and Irene Menchaca and Howard Choate traveled from the Central Coast to cook on Saturday and stayed around to judge on Sunday.

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Chief Judge was Claude Covington. Chief Scorekeeper was Mary Ellen Weber, assisted by Nicole Caimi and Karen Ray. The winners were announced at about 4:30 pm, and they were:

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Best Booth: Brandon Smith CA

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Salsa (9 entries):

3rd, Mike Stewart CA

2nd, Russell Barnes CA

1st, Ellen Dyer CA

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Chili Verde (8 entries):

3rd, Charlie Ward from Mountain Home, ID

2nd, Leeroy Watson from Mesa AZ

1st, Barbara Ward from Mountain Home, ID (this completes Barbara's Hat Trick)

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People's Choice Chili (everybody):

Bob Sennett CA

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Traditional Red Chili (22 entries):

5th, Dennis Macklin CA tied with

Bob Poston CA

4th, Jodi Wiseman from Las Vegas, NV

3rd, Karl Smith CA

2nd, Mike Ford CA

1st, Jim Rasey CA

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The awards ceremony was a very emotional time. Each announcement was accompanied by a poster saying "We (heart) our Tony". The winner, Jim Rasey, is himself a former Marine, disabled in service in Vietnam. He also supported this cookoff last year. The total prize money was $2,000.00, and almost all of it was donated back by the winners to the "Injured Marines Fund".

By Karen Ray

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Tony Dalbis

It is the saddest moment in my life that I have to send this email. My dearest sweetest husband Tony has gone to be home with the Lord last night at about 8:00 surrounded by his family. He went peacefully . He is now out of all the pain and misery he was in for so long. He fought a long battle but so sad to say he lost. He loved his friends and family so much.

He will be so missed. I loved him so very much.

I will let all know when the arrangements are all made.

Lois

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Chili in the Cornfield Contest postponed.

I regret to inform you that the Chili in the Cornfield chili contest slated for August 30th in Atlantic, IA. will need to be postponed to a later date. I underwent amputation of my toes recently and I am recuperating slower than I anticipated. I will schedule a new date as soon as I am up on my feet (so to speak). Thanks for all who called or e-mailed about my health.
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Mark Johnson

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Montana State

Join us in Manhattan for an event on Broadway; Manhattan, MT, that is! The State chili Cook-off will be held in conjunction with the annual Chamber of Commerce, Potato Festival and State Car Show, August 16, 2008.

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Manhattan is a quiet, but progressive Community nestled in the heart of the Gallatin Valley and surrounded by the majestic, snow capped Bridger mountains and trout filled rivers and streams.

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Plan your vacation here, just 100 miles from the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park and 60 miles from the Big Sky resort down the scenic Gallatin Canyon.

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Enjoy the annual Potato Festival kicking off with the Firemen's Breakfast and Big Sky Carver's tent sale. Be our guests at the barbecue on Friday night.

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Hey all you Chili Fans, stand up and clap your hands! We're gearing up for the second annual Montana State Chili Cook-off right here in downtown Manhattan on August 16. We'd love to have you join us for a fun-filled, great time in conjunction with our annual Potato Festival! Join us the evening before for a barbecue in your honor! The prize money may not be the most you can earn but the hospitality will top it all! Entry fees: Red $35, Verde 25, and Salsa 15.

Red Chili: $500, 250 and 100

Verde: $300, 150, and 75

Salsa: $100, 50, and 25

C'mon, Pardner, pony on up to Manhattan, Montana for a rip, snorting time!

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For more info contact Bob Wetzel at 406-284-6562 or email Patty at phebner@bresnan.net

Come on down for a great cook off!

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