MONDAY - May 4, 2009

California State Championship,

May 2^nd

A beautiful mid-spring day greeted the participants in the 36th Annual California State Championship arriving at the new venue, the Orange Show grounds. (If all of my cookoff reports start out sounding like weather reports, it's probably because the weather is so important to the comfort and success of our events.) The old venue, Perris Hill Park, was great for many years, and many of us wondered if the Orange Show grounds would equal it. In fact, it did equal it---and more! The cookoff was on grass in a park-like setting, the centerpiece of which is a small lake embellished with fountains which periodically spray high into the air. The adjacent judging area was on a very large, pretty patio with a covered area used for the comfort and seclusion of the scorekeeping team.

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The contestants for the many competitions held at this event were spread around the periphery of the lake, interspersed with vendors of many sorts. Vehicle access to the chili booths for loading in and out was available for everyone, and parking was nearby. Although an initial effort was made to separate the contestants into their respective categories, this was eventually abandoned for later arrivals. Walking through the cookoff gave one an excellent perspective of the variety of contests being held.

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Chairman, Mike Austin, in his tenth year or so, has created an event that is important to the community of San Bernardino in all of its demographic diversity. There is something for everyone. From karaoke contests all day, to the 5th Annual California State Menudo Championship, to the open-and-restaurant division, the chili-eating contest and, of course, the various ICS competitions, everyone has their favorite diversion with which to entertain themselves. Sponsorships garnered by Mike exceeded $14,000 this year, with a couple of new sponsors on board. Mike plans to write a follow-up article with more thank-yous and follow-up information on this subject.

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The judging panel consisted of a San Bernardino City Councilman, a TV show crew chief (we were filmed, and we're all gonna be famous!), sponsors' representatives, various other local celebrities and interested parties, and so many chiliheads that several World-Class ICS chili judges were relegated to judging the preliminary tables for Traditional Red Chili. The judging area was very comfortable for the judges, who were treated to an excellent taco lunch and very nice "goodie bags". Chief Judge and Chief Scorekeeper were Bill and Karen Ray. Masters of Ceremonies on two stages were Steve Porter and Claude Covington. The non-ICS-sanctioned contests were coordinated and scored by Donnie Gordon, assisted by Jim and Willma Maehl, Aggie Wright and varous other volunteers. Assistant ICS Scorekeepers were Allene Macklin, Mary Ellen Weber and Linda Porter. More than $5,000 in prize money was distributed to the winners.

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And (finally) the winners were:

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Chili-Eating Contest: Reuben "Honey-I-Ate-The-Kids" Almilla, who ate twice as many bowls of chili as his closest competitor.

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Non-Ics-Sanctioned Contests

Open Salsa: (19 contestants)

3rd, Robert White, RC's Recipe for Chili Verde---a first-time competitor

2nd, Aimee Westrom, American Legion Post #777

1st, Bob Morales, Bobbo's Chili

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5th Annual California State Menudo Contest: (judged by public vote)

3rd, Margarita Vasquez, Grandma's Menudo

2nd, Margaret Cervantes, Margaret's Menudo

1st, Abel Silva, Honest Abe's Menudo (this is Abel's 3rd time in a row to win this contest!)

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Restaurant/Open Chili-with-Beans Competition: (judged by public vote)

3rd, Rainie Gibson, Rainie's Ragin' Chili---a first-time competitor

2nd, Marcia Wohler, Mom's Salsa and Chili

1st, Kathleen Filkins, American Legion Post #777

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All Contestants:

Best-Decorated Booth:

2nd, Ken Joswiak, Harvest Fair Chili

1st, Bruce Pion, Killer Chili

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Showmanship Around the Booth:

2nd, Tom Rubio, San Bernardino Fire Department

1st, Bruce Pion, Killer Chili

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ICS Contestants

Salsa: (16 contestants)

3rd, Russell Barnes, Sancho Blanco Chili

2nd, Steve Crawford, Crawford's Crankin' Chili

1st, Sachiko Brecke, Horny Toad Chili Too

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Chili Verde: (17 contestants)

3rd, Darlene Taylor, Mishap Chili

2nd, Mike Stewart, Baja Chili

1st, Irene Menchaca, Me Too A-1 Chili

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People's Choice Chili:

3rd, Nancy Swenberger, Gone with the Wind Chili

2nd, Matthew Tapping, Backfield in Motion Chili---Matthew competed in People's Choice Chili at the World's Championship in 2008 for all three days, and placed each day!

1st, Bruce Pion, Killer Chili

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Traditional Red Chili: (29 contestants)

5th, Leo Nolan, Uncle Leo's Rocky Mountain Chili (Leo is a former California State Champion)

4th, Mike Ford, B & M Double Flush Chili

3rd, Char Swiney, Truck Stop Chili

2nd, Nancy Swenberger, Gone with the Wind Chili (Nancy is a former California State Champion)

The California State Flag was passed to the new Champion by the defending California State Champion, Paul Whitney of Flagstaff, Arizona

1st, Eric Stewart, Off-Road Chili

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Eric is the son of Mike and Kathy Stewart. He cooks once a year at this cookoff. Amazingly, he has won the Chili Verde contest the past two years. This year he upped the ante to win the whole show! Way to go Eric! Mike and Kathy couldn't have been happier had they won themselves.

by Karen Ray

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The Old West REGIONAL Chili,

Grub & Brew Roundup in Murrieta, Calif,

on Sat., May 9, 2009 is fast approaching.

Green and Red chili only, no Salsa.
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Prize money for red: $500, $250, $100 plus custom wooden trophies.
Prize money for green: $250, $100, $75 plus trophies.
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Entry fee for red is $50 for no peoples choice, $25 with 1 gallon, no charge with 2 gallons or more (please, bring more) There is $100 prize for peoples choice.
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Entry fee for green is $45 for no peoples choice, $20 with 1 gallon, and no charge with 2 gallons of more.(please, more if you can). Again, $100 prize money for peoples choice.

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Setup - 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

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Cook's Meeting - 9:00 AM

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Start Chili Verde - 10:00 AM

Turn In Chili Verde - 1:00 PM

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Start ICS RED CHILI 12 Noon

Turn In ICS RED CHILI 3:00 PM

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Awards - As soon as Scoring is DONE !

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We should be ok with the health dept., but come prepared. You know how they are.
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The location is 1 Town Square, in Murrieta., 2 blocks west (toward the mountain) off the I 15 at the Kalmia/ Calif Oaks exit. If you're coming South. on the I 215, take the Murrieta Hot Springs exit right to the I 15 north.
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Again, turn off at Kalmia/Cal Oaks. Go west (left). Turn left at the first street past Jefferson (it won't have a name). Adams St. is too far.
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There's gonna be some great country bands competing to open for a Tommy Cash concert in October, a beer fest and soda pop competion, and lots of food and fun. For the chili cooks bringing an RV, someone will be there to direct you. There is a Farmer Boys restaurant within walking distance.
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Proceeds go to the Murrieta Chamber and the Musicians workshop. We need cooks to make this a success so it can continue.

We need judges too.
For more info call chief judge Bob Dyer at 951-244-7763.

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AMCF Acreage Regional

and

AMCF Chili Chick Regional

April 25^th & 26^th

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First, our apologizes for taking a full week to get this posting out, we know there are many people who await these results and we're sorry for any inconveniences that the delay may have caused. We had a very successful Double Regional on April 25^th & 26^th in Loxahatchee Florida. Before listing the winners we would like to say thank you to some people who made it all possible.

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First, our committee heads. Without them and the over 125 volunteers from the community this event would not have gone as smooth as it did.

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Then there is Sergei Kowalchik, we can't put into words the help and guidance that this man has provided to us the past two years and with this year being our first two day regional what could have been overwhelming was made smooth and manageable thanks in large part to Sergei's guidance.

And we would be remiss to not mention Zori Mickle our Chili Chairperson. The cook-off portion of this event would be a zoo without her. There is no praise high enough to bestow upon her so we hope she will accept our humble thanks and our sincere gratitude for all she does to make this event work for our community.

There are many more people that space prohibits me from listing but suffice it to say we all know that these events do not happen without many behind the scenes people helping to make it possible.

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Now the winners;

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Saturday, AMCF – Chili Chick Regional

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Best Booth Display:

Chris Everhart, Key Largo, FL.

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Restaurant Division:

Sneaky Pete's, Loxahatchee, FL.

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Peoples Choice:

3^rd - Steve Leblanc, Loxahatchee, FL.

2^nd – Paul Nunn, Ft Pierce, FL.

1^st – Scott Paldino. Loxahatchee, FL.

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Salsa:

3^rd – Doug Roy, Clearwater, FL.

2^nd – Mike Grimes, Palm Bch Gardens, FL.

1^st – Richard Steinert, Greensboro, N.C.

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Chili Verde:

3^rd – Jan Weltikol, Palm Coast, FL.

2^nd – Larry Wetikol, Palm Coast, FL.

1^st – Gene Morelli, Spring Hill, FL.

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Red Chili:

3^rd – Paul Nunn, Ft. Pierce, FL.

2^nd – Richard Steinert, Greensboro, N.C.

1^st – Doug Roy, Clearwater, FL.

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Sunday, AMCF – Acreage Regional

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Best Booth Display:

Chris Everhart, Key Largo, FL.

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Restaurant Division:

Sneaky Pete's, Loxahatchee, FL.

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Peoples Choice:

3^rd – Tom Dragner, Loxahatchee, FL.

2^nd – Shana Pender, Davie, FL.

1^st – Priscilla D'Agostino, Pembroke Pines, FL.

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Salsa:

3^rd – Don Stewe, Tampa, FL.

2^nd – Larry Weltikol, Palm Coast, FL.

1^st – Matt Stewe, Tampa, FL.

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Chili Verde:

3^rd – Don Stewe, Tampa, FL.

2^nd – Doug Roy, Clearwater, FL.

1^st – Larry Weltikol, Palm Coast, FL.

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Red Chili:

3^rd – Don Stewe, Tampa, FL.

2^nd – Chris Everhart, Key Largo, FL.

1^st – Richard Steinert, Greensboro, N.C.

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Our hope and intent is to make this one of the most fun and entertaining Cook-offs around in the years ahead and we believe in the past year we have gotten off to a great start towards that goal. We had a great Cooks and Judges party with a live band and a visit by some of The Chili Chicks dance team, free beer and appetizers and a good time with friends both old and new.

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As for the event, we had approximately 6,000 people come out for a great time with friends, neighbors and families enjoying the fantastic chili, local and Nashville bands, all the free attractions and of course the World Famous Chili Chicks Dance Team.

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Thanks again to all of you who participated and to those of you who haven't yet made it out to this event we look forward to welcoming you next year.

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Robert Trepp & Sofia Rossi

Chairs

AMCF – Chili Chick Regional

AMCF – Acreage Regional

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Lancaster Chili Showdown

Lancaster wasn't cold at 7 am, but the Flags were standing straight out... there was wind. As we neared the cookoff area we see Dave Thomas' canopy go down (in several pieces). Not a great start for a first time cookoff that didn't get the flyers out. This could definitely hurt the number of cooks deciding to make the trip after a hard day at Cal State. However, the sponsors were happy (except for the fact that we cancelled salsa and gave the money back to the two contestants entered). The wind blew all day, but some cars and trucks were moved in to block some of it. It was a challenge with everyone trying to keep their tables upright and regulate there stoves while not burning their chili. Thankfully the judging was inside and we didn't have to worry about bowls going over in the wind. Jim Maehl did his usual great job. Scorekeepers were Donnie Gordon, MaryEllen Weber, Norma Ferrante, Willma Maehl & Sylvia Steinberg. Carol Hancock even pitched in to help with the Wrangling. And the winners:

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Salsa - 2 Entries - Cancelled

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Chili Verde (7 Entries)

3rd Place - Char Swiney , CA

2nd Place - Kim Cottrell, CA

1st Place - Barry Steinberg, CA

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Red Chili (12 Entries)

3rd Place - Ron Harris, CA

2nd Place - Bill Ray, CA

1st Place - Char Swiney, CA

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This is a very nice venue and they have a huge swap meet at this time every year. They should be getting the sanction in for the date and printing flyers soon. So mark your calendars for the 1st Sunday in May (right after Cal State and yes there is an RV park) next year.

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For those of you who are not as old as the rest of us and haven't been around forever, this is a great place to hear the local view of our days at Tropico. They have quite a few tales and are willing to tell you about "the old days" at the World's Championship.

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Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone for coming out to support this new cookoff.

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