CALIFORNIA STATE
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Maria Austin was very much a part of the 35th Annual California State Championship Chili Cookoff, although she went to be with Jesus on April 22nd, 100 days after she suffered a massive heart attack. She was laid to rest surrounded by family, extended family and friends on Wednesday, April 30th. At the cookoff on Saturday she was honored with a lovely photograph, a beautiful wreath, and the presence of even more family, extended family and friends. Many of the chili cooks honored her by displaying pictures of Mike and Maria and by acknowledging their "Lee" names, given to them by Maria during her cooking years when her booth theme was "Fam-Lee Affair Chili". If you didn't know before, you know now why Mike Austin is best know as "Ugh-Lee". Maria apparently hooked up in heaven with Jeep and Andy; among the three of them they made sure that the weather was perfect for this event!
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And what an event it was! Bill and I arrived at 6:45 to officiate as Chief Judge and Chief Scorekeeper, and the cooks, car show participants, vendors, and even some spectators, anxious to get down to the serious business of tasting the various delectables so they could vote for their favorites, were already swarming in to the Perris Hill Park. There is sooooo much going on at this cookoff. It seems to grow in all directions every year. One of the more popular featured events is the Inland Empire Menudo Championship. This was the 4th Annual, and the best yet. There are two stages. The back stage, emceed by Claude Covington, features gunfighters, local bands and drill teams, car show awards and a band. The front stage, monitored by Steve Porter, features, between the Cooks Meetings, Miss Chili Pepper, Mr. Hot Sauce, Shoot 'n' Holler and Chili Eating Contests, the entertainment of Y-Karaoke. Yvonne brings some exceptional and fun local talent to the stage during the day, and the competitors are rewarded for their efforts with trophies and Wal-Mart gift certificates.
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Special kudos go to Donnie Gordon for her dedication to this cookoff. Donnie comes from Las Vegas every year to give her expertise to all of the non-sanctioned competitions. This is probably the most difficult job in the whole event. She is dealing with non-ICS competitors, many of whom have never experienced a cooking competition. With the exception of the Open Salsa Contest, all of these competitions are judged by the public, who turn in their ballots to vote for their favorites. She collects entry forms and entry fees, numbers booths for the various contests, makes sure that they are following the rules set up for their particular event, collects all of the ballots several times a day, tallies the results of the voting and gives these results to the ICS Chief Scorekeeper for inclusion in the awards ceremony. She gets too little recognition for her efforts, but she continues to come pack every year. Thanks, Donnie, for California State and for all of the rest of the cookoffs to which you contribute your time during the year.
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The judging area is always very well supplied by Mike Austin, and this year was no exception. Everything we needed to conduct the judging and scorekeeping was at our fingertips when we arrived. The judges were also treated to a special lunch in the judging area. One of Mike's "Poker Buddies" also has a Mexican restaurant. He and his assistant prepared and served a choice of carnitas, carne asada or chicken tacos with beans and rice, complemented by tomatillo salsa, red salsa, guacamole and various appropriate condiments. It was delicious!
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Perris Hill Park is a beautiful venue for this cookoff. Large old trees shade most of the area, including the judging area, which is set apart from the rest of the cookoff. The Friends of San Bernardino Parks are the moving force behind the event. The City of San Bernardino also participates in various ways. Major sponsors are Walker foods (El Pato products), Wal-Mart, Budweiser and Smart & Final. Juanita's Foods sponsors the menudo championship. These sponsorships are greatly appreciated, as a total of $4,500.00 in prize money is paid to the various winners.
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After a long, but rewarding day, the winners were announced. And they were:
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Open Salsa, non-ICS members (15 contestants):
3rd, Stingers Bar and Night Club
2nd, Amie Westrom-American Legion Post #777
1st, Charlie Villalpando
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ICS Sanctioned Salsa (14 contestants):
3rd, Red Brecke
2nd, Sachiko (husband-beater) Brecke
1st, Susie Baumberger
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Restaurant and Open Chili Competition (12 contestants):
3rd, Amador Chavez
2nd, Kathleen Filkins-American Legion Post #777
1st, Mike Trueba, Jesse's Green Team
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ICS People's Choice Chili (all Traditional Red and Chili Verde cooks):
3rd, Russell Barnes, Sancho Blanco Chili
2nd. Chris Black, American Legion Post #777
1st, Jesse Trueba, Jesse's Green Team
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4th Annual Inland Empire Menudo Contest (12 contestants):
3rd, Margaret Cervantez, a first-time competitor
2nd, Ray Calderon, who has placed every year
1st, Abel Silva, who has won the contest three years in a row
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ICS Chili Verde (13 contestants):
3rd, Ron Burt
2nd, Patricia Sanchez
1st, Eric Stewart, the son of Mike & Kathy Stewart, for the second year in a row
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ICS Traditional Red Chili (31 contestants):
4th, Charlie Blosfield
3rd, Eric Stewart
2nd, Howard Choate
1st, Paul Whitney received the flag presented by retiring Champion Nancy Swenberger
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You might note that Arizona cooks have done very well in this cookoff lately. Recent California State Champions include not only Paul and Nancy, but also Dick Swenberger. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks to all of the judges and scorekeepers and everyone who helped bring this biiiiig event to completion.
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Bill and Karen Ray
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Back 2 Back Northern Arizona Chili Cookoffs
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June 14th and 15th , 2008
Come spend a weekend in the Cool Pines of Northern Arizona and Cook Chili at TWO ICS World Qualifying Chili Contests.
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SATURDAY - 6/14/2008
25th annual ROUTE 66 Regional in Flagstaff Arizona. Cookoff is being held at Thorpe Park.
This years Chili & Salsa Contests feature added prize monies and special goody bags for the 25th anniversary festivities.
Contact Paul Whitney, Chairperson, at 928-526-4314 or email at Golfnchili@aol.com for complete information.
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A short 90 mile drive to Payson after the Route 66 contest will have you ready for the Sunday contests.
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SUNDAY – 6/15/2008
37th annual ARIZONA STATE in Payson Arizona. Cookoff is being held in the parking lot of the Mazatzal Casino.
The Chili & Salsa have Great Prize Monies,
$1,000.00 - 1st place ICS Red,
$500.00 - 1st place Chili Verde,
$250.00 - 1st place Salsa.
Contact Linda Mathiesen, Chairperson, 928-474-6044 or email lmathiesen@777play.com for complete information.
Or
Dick Swenberger, Chief Judge 480-650-3921 or GWTWChili@aol.com
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For Motel, Entry Fees and Cookoff Times – Contact each Chairperson.
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