TUESDAY - July 14, 2009

MOUNTAIN STATE DISTRICT

Firecracker Chili Cookoff

The Firecracker Chili Cookoff that took place, July 4 at the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair in Ripley, West Virginia:   Kevin Simmons of Milton, WV took home two trophies and $400 in prize money after judges selected him first in two categories in the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair (MSACF) "Firecracker" Chili Cookoff, held July 4 at Cedar Lakes near Ripley. Simmons grab top honors in the Red chili and Salsa divisions, while his wife Tonya, brought home the top prize in the Verde category.

"All the entries were very good and I understand the judging was very close," said Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Janet Fisher, who presented the awards to the contestants. "This is a young event, but it's growing and attracting some really strong entrants."

Event organizer Cindy Martel echoed Fisher.

"We had multiple entries in six categories and 18 entrants overall, which is a substantial increase from last year's inaugural event," said Martel. "Winners in the verde and salsa category have automatically qualified for the world championship contest to be held in Charleston in October. This will be the first time those contests have been held east of the Mississippi River."

Sponsors for the contest were the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, MSACF, Cedar Lakes, Cracker Barrel of Mineral Wells and ACE Adventure Resort.

The next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 3, 2010.

Full results from the MSACF "Firecracker" Chili Cookoff:

Red Chili

1^st Place:           $350.00 & trophy

                        Kevin Simmons

                        Milton, WV

2^nd Place:          $150.00 & trophy

                        Matt Bush

                        Greenwood, WV

3^rd Place:          $50.00 & trophy

                        Kim Mallory

                        Kitts Hill, OH

Verde (winner qualifies for World Championship to be held in Charleston in October)

1^st Place:           $50.00 & trophy

                        Tonya Simmons

                        Milton, WV

2^nd Place:          $35.00 & trophy

                        Joe Napier

                        Huntington, WV

3^rd Place:          $15.00 & trophy

                        Mel Fletcher

                        Durbin, WV

Salsa (winner qualifies for World Championship to be held in Charleston in October)

1^st Place:           $50.00 & trophy

                        Kevin Simmons

                        Milton, WV

2^nd Place:       &nb sp;  $35.00 & trophy

                        Mel Fletcher

                        Durbin, WV

3^rd Place:          $15.00 & trophy

                        Kim Mallory

                        Kitts Hill, OH

People's Choice (Sponsored by ACE Adventure Resort and Cracker Barrel-Mineral Wells)

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                        $100.00 & trophy

                        Rhonda Dennis

                        Clay, WV

Showmanship (Best Table Display) (Sponsored by Cracker Barrel-Mineral Wells)

1^st Place:           Susan Lefew

                        South Charleston, WV

2^nd Place:          Ronda Dennis

                        Clay, WV

Joe Stevens

Head Chili

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Back 2 Back Regionals in Chicago

Chicago once again will play host to two World Championship qualifiers in August.  On Sat. August 1 the 15th annual Windy City Regional will take place.  That will be followed by the Northern Illinois Regional on Sun. August 2.  Both cookoffs will have red, verde, and salsa competitions in which the winners will move to the World Championship in W.Virginia. There will also be a CASI cookoff on Sunday for those cooks that compete in that organization. 

The cookoffs are part of the Retro on Roscoe street festival which was featured in 2007 by Rachel Ray on her program.  Music, classic cars, great food, and a charming residential urban neighborhood make this festival a favorite of cooks every year. 

To make the cookoff even more "cook friendly"  competitors will be able to park in a remote parking lot and have their equipment and themselves shuttled to the cookoff and back.  This should ease the burden some cooks have of finding suitable parking in the city.  See the ICS website for exact locations. 

We have a throng of hungry tasters that never seem to get enough chili so you will need to make or bring 1 gal of chili per cook.  Our judges recognize good chili as was evidenced by their selection of Georgia Weller as Chicago's representative last year in the World Championship. Thank you Georgia for bringing the title back to Illinois.  This year it could be you!!

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Contact Mike Usiak at usiak@sbcglobal.net  or at 773-871-5623 for info.

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Please visit our sponsors Hot Doug's Sausage Superstore and
Encased Meat Emporium http://www.hotdougs.com/  and

Ray's Brand Chili http://www.rayschilli.com/

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                                                2009 Montana State Chili Cookoff

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    The Chamber of Commerce of Manhattan, Montana will host the 2009 Montana state chili cookoff. The cookoff will be held on Saturday August 15th in conjunction with the Manhattan Potato Festival.

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     First place prize for red chili $500.00, second place $250.00 and third $100.00

     First place prize for chili verde $300.00, second place $150.00 and third $75.00.

     First place salsa $100.00, second $50.00 and third $25.00.

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    The entry fee for red chili is $35.00, chili verde $25.00 and salsa $15.00.

Advanced registration is recommended.

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     Be our guest a barbecue will be held Friday evening from 6 to 7 pm.

     For additional information call Bob WETZEL at 406-284- 6562  

 e-mail db_wetzel@msn.com    or Patty at 406-284-2071.

    

     Area motels:

     Belgrade Holiday Inn Express 406-388-0800

     Belgrade LA Quinta Inn & suites 406-388-2222

     Belgrade Super 8 406-388-1493

     Three Forks Broken Spur Motel 1-888-354-3048

      Fort Three Forks 1-800-477-5690

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