MONDAY Jan 19. 2009

Great Forsyth, IL. Regional

ICS Chili Championship

1/17/09

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"Hap" Gilbert (Mayor of Forsyth) did another outstanding job of putting together the Great Forsyth Regional Chili cookoff for the fourth year in a row at the beautiful Hickory Point Mall.

We had a great ICS cookoff with Red Chili, Verde, Salsa and also a "celebrity" home style" Chili cookoff, all for charity. It is too soon to know the totals, but several thousands of dollars were raised for the Salvation Army and the Catholic Charities.

Immediately after the cookoff we all went next door to the Homewood Suites Hotel for plenty of delicious food and adult beverages thanks to Jim Dietz the General Manager of the Homewood Suites, as well as

Jay Nicol, (Rays Chili) and Doug Cekander, (Buffalo Wild Wings). All of this was provided free to the cooks and judges by these fine gentlemen...... Everyone and a good time.

Be sure to mark your calendar for this date next year as well as the Winterfreeze Regional the next day in Springfield, IL. just 35 min. apart. These 2 cookoffs have been increasing their respective contributions to the various charities for several years now and have become a public, as well as, the cooks favorites.

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Special thanks to Kathy Mizer (Village Clerk) who organizes all this and puts this together as well as putting up with all us. She and her staff do a very good job.

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Also, Thanks to Jeff Netser (2005 Verde World Champion) for taking charge and running the "Celebrity Homestyle" cookoff with 25 contestants.

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We were very fortunate to have not only the current Verde World Champion, Lauren Ray, but we also had 4 other World Champions in attendance. Jeff Netser, Jerry Simmons, Kimberly Mallory and Tom Calvert.

Nice group to have around!

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SALSA 16 judges

12 contestants

3rd = Mary Thomas 10 pts. (Clinton, IL.)

2nd = Tom Calvert 13 pts. (Taylorville, IL.)

1st = Chris Toney 18 pts. (St Louis, MO.)

VERDE 15 judges

14 contestants

3rd = Lynn Virant 11 pts. (Omaha, NE.)

2nd = Julie Netser 13 pts. (Seymour, IN.)

1st = Tom Calvert 17 pts. (Taylorville, IL.)

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RED 34 judges

31 contestants

3rd = "Aldo" Klinghammer 10 pts. (Taylorville, IL.)

2nd = Larry Eastep 12 pts. (Springfield, IL.)

1st = Carolyn Wilson 13 pts. (Rochester, IL.)

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Naturally all of the winners were very excited and especially Carolyn for her first ever World Qualifier.

She stated the $1,200 for her first place win will get her to The 2009 WCCC. in fine fashion!

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Congratulations to all the contestants.......They are all winners!

Bob Hall

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2009 Sunshine Regional Cookoff Pictures

Here are some pictures from the 2009 Sunshine Regional Cookoff

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http://floridachili.com/2009SunshineRegional.html

The Florida Chili Page

http://www.floridachili.com/

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Rhode Island State Chili

Cookoff - Update

A new venue, schedule change and lower entry fees.

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The new location:

The Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Rd. Middletown, RI

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Directions to the K of C from the hotel are: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Newport&1s=RI&1a=151+Admiral+Kalbfus+Road&2c=Middletown&2s=RI&2a=7+Valley+Rd

The K of C is approx. 5 minutes from the hotel.

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New Entry Fees:

Red -$35,Verde -$30 and Salsa -$25. All 3 / $75

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New Schedule Times

12noon Entry Downstairs Hall (side door access to area without stairs)

12:30 Cooks meeting

2 p.m. Salsa turn in

1-4 pm. Verde

2-5 p.m. Red Chili

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Early payment will be helpful. Please make checks payable to Michael Freedman and mail to 99 Four Bridges Rd. Somers, CT 06071 no later February 14, 2009. If you want to pay the day of the cookoff, please plan on paying with cash.

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We do not anticipate a large public crowd, so PC will not be in high demand.

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The K of C (the beneficiary of this event) has a kitchen area where pots can be cleaned. If you haven't signed up yet, don't wait to be a part of chili history as the first RI State Chili Cookoff is held!

If you have any questions,please don't hesitate to contact me at madmike@chilict.com.

Thanks,

Michael Freedman

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