TUESDAY - Aug 5, 2008

Chicago- Windy City & Northern Illiniois Regionals

When I woke up on Saturday August 2 and got the day's weather report I was glad. Sunny, 80's, with light breezes and no rain. But what made me HAPPY was when Bill and Gail Donovan arrived at the Windy City cookoff. This was going to be their first cookoff since Bill was diagnosed with a type of luekemia and we have missed them both. Bill has been the 'boy in a bubble' for many months and is still extremely careful about germs with his restistence still being quite low. Imagine not holding your loved ones hand, kissing your partner, or hugging the grandkids. These are some of the things that recovering cancer patients have to endure on top of the physical a psychological setbacks that occur.
We had wonderful support from our flock of judges, and our great sponsors. Chicago Cutlery once again provided knives to all the cooks, Jay Nicole of Rays Chili provided seasoning packages and presented the Verde champion with their cash prize, and new sponsor Doug Sohn of Hot Doug's Sausage Superstore http://www.hotdougs.com/menu.htm presented the Red Chili winner their prize.
Also I would be remiss in not thanking Wes Carlson and Jeff Netser in having the judging run as smoothly as possible. The Food Pantry of St. Teresa of Avila received over $1100 in donations to use for purchasing goods to be distributed to those in need. Finally, I want to thank my wife Nancy Usiak for all her support before, during, and after the event. Nancy is Head Scorekeeper, publisist, wrangler, and treasuer for the cookoff. I can't imagine running it without her help. Now to the results:

8/2/08
Salsa - Gail Donovan

Verde
3rd - Tom Heiser
2nd - Jenifer Urhin
1st - Gail Donovan

Red
3rd - Gail Donovan
2nd - Bill Thomas
1st - Georgia Weller

This is Georgia's 19 consectutive qualification for the World Championship.

8/3/08

Salsa - Julie Netser

Verde
3rd - Bill Thomas
2nd- Bill Donovan
1st - Maureen Barett

Red
3rd - Bill Thomas
2nd - Gail Donovan
1st - Chuck Hoff

Georgia, Julie, and Chuck all locked up their hat tricks this weekend. Congratulations!

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Studio Diner Cookoff Chairman

says Thank you to ICS Cooks & Judges!

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Greetings All Chiliheads with the I.C.S.!

AS THE Chairman once again of the Studio Diner Chili Cookoff
Held here in San Diego, last Sunday Aug. 3rd, I wanted to say "THANK YOU"!

Thanks again to Claude Covington, Chief Judge and our scorekeeper Mary Ellen Weber
And of course to Bill & Karen Ray, Steve & Aggie Wright, Pete Caimi (The Enforcer!), Mike Austin to name a few.

I also wanted to Thank ALL the Fantastic Cooks who traveled to compete and showed San Diego
How the ICS does Cookoffs!...Some as far as Idaho, Nevada & Arizona.

Rich Williams (who founded the Injured Marine Fund in 2003)and I are still tallying expenses today.

But at this point, I feel pretty confident in sharing with you all, that between Corporate sponsorship,
Day of event Food & Beverage, T shirt sales, Cash donations and the fact that nearly all Cookoff winners
Donated their winnings Back to the Injured Marine Fund….we can tell you that this very worthwhile
Charity now has an additional $12,000.00+ to carry on it's mission of taking care of familes who have flown
Here to San Diego to support their seriously wounded son/daughter Navy Corpsman and Marines!

My personal heartfelt appreciation goes to every single one of you that Cooked, Judged, kept score, registerd everybody, Drove, carried stuff, donated, swept up, & spent your day with us here at Stu Segall Productions Movie Lot.

God Bless!
Hope to see you soon...

Thanks,

Jim Phillips
General Manager, Studio Diner
4701 Ruffin Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
Diner Phone: 858-715-6400
cell 619-247-8982
http://www.studiodiner.com
"Eat Clams More Often"

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Rocky Mountain Regional and Colorado State Chili Cookoffs

Saturday, August 23rd

Sunday, August 24th

The cookoffs are a little over 2 weeks away, so plan on coming out to cool, sunny and beautiful Winter Park, Colorado for 2 days of qualifiers. Saturday, besides traditional red, chili verde, and salsa, there will once again be a "Guac-off" Guacamole division. A trophy will be given to the first place winner.

The cookoffs are at the base of the Winter Park Ski Resort, and it's one of the most awesome spots to cook at in the country (at 9000 ft). Rooms are available in Winter Park, with a 10% chilihead discount given when you call Winter Park Central Reservations @1-800-977-6198.

Cash and trophies will be awarded to 1st through 3rd places in each division, each day. Judges that come out year after year are experienced, and do a fine job in the judging area.

For more information, please contact: Patty McCarthy - Chairman

303-316-1689

PMcCarthy@skiwinterpark.com

OR

Bob Plager - NEW Chief Judge

720-244-0990

Bob98Champ@aol.com

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