Copper State Regional
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Valley of the Sun Regional
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Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2009, the Arizona March Back to Backs were held at the Ahwatukee Swim and Tennis Club in Phoenix, AZ. You could not have asked for better weather as both days were bright and sunny with a very light breeze and temperatures in the low 80's. Contest Chairperson, Susan Hyden and her assistants, did an outstanding job of preparation so all events went smoothly. Dick and Nancy Swenberger were Chief Judge and Head Scorekeeper both days. They were assisted by their ever faithful friends Brett Kitani and Ken Brown who stepped right in to help where they were needed.
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The cookoffs were held on the grass of a beautiful Little League field. On Saturday, there were kiddie rides for the kids to enjoy while the adult spectators enjoyed the samples of chili. On Sunday, the Little League field was also the site of a local Farmer's Market which drew a large crowd to the chili cookoff as well and helped raise over $500 each day for the charities, the Ahwatukee Little League and the Ahwatukee Community Center.
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The judges did an outstanding job and were encouraging and helpful to the cooks by offering constructive comments for each and every cook. As you may know, cooks take the comments to heart in order to improve their chances on the road to qualifying for the World's Championship Cookoff next October. It is interesting to note that there were only 2 or 3 judges that judged both days. So there was quite a diverse group each day.
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Both days were regional qualifiers with the Copper State Regional on Saturday and the Valley of the Sun Regional on Sunday. There were cooks from California, Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and of course, Arizona. There were well-seasoned cooks as well as a few brand new cooks. It is always refreshing to see those who know the ropes of chili competition offering help to the new cooks to encourage them and help them get their feet wet in the ways of the chili world. There was a lot of friendly gesturing and challenging going on between the cooks who have been around a while. Of course, this was all done with the best of intentions, just to keep things lively and add to the excitement of each day.
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After much contemplation, the judge's decisions were made. The results were tallied and verified and the awards were announced. The results were:
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Copper State Regional – Saturday, March 14, 2009
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People's Choice -
Keo Lynch of AZ
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Salsa -
5th Place – Susan Hyden of AZ
4th Place – Nibs Waters of CA
3rd Place – Pam Wright of AZ
2nd Place – Bob Plager of CO
1st Place – Dione Cooley of NV (This makes her Hat Trick)
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Chili Verde –
5th Place – Michelle Summerville of AZ
4th Place – Paul Whitney of AZ
3rd Place – Dave Wright of AZ
2nd Place – Keo Lynch of AZ
1st Place – Nibs Waters of CA
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Red Chili –
5th Place – Nibs Waters of CA
4th Place – Larry Eastep of IL
3rd Place – Paul Whitney of AZ
2nd Place – Al Henry of CO
1st Place – Skip Cooley of NV (This makes his Hat Trick)
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Valley of the Sun Regional – Sunday, March 15. 2009
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People's Choice – Andy Jerdee of AZ
Salsa –
5th Place – Sarah Whitney of AZ
4th Place – Susan Hyden of AZ
3rd Place – Nibs Waters of CA
2nd Place – Pam Wright of AZ
1st Place – Bob Plager of CO
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Chili Verde –
5th Place - Dave Wright of AZ
4th Place – Leeroy Watson of AZ
3rd Place – Pam Wright of AZ
2nd Place – Greg Virant of NE
1st Place – Paul Whitney of AZ
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Red Chili –
5th Place (Unbroken Tie) Lynn Kost-Virant of NE
and Don Hammes of CA
4th Place – Mike Ford of CA
3rd Place – Bob Plager of CO
2nd Place – Nibs Waters of CA
1st Place – Al Henry of CO (This makes his Hat Trick)
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Oak Tree results
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People's choice
Tie for 2nd/3rd - Ron Harris and Steve Crawford - 25 pts
1st - Bill Ray- 26 pts
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Salsa
3rd - Armando Sanchez - 14 pts
2nd - Maggie Harris - 15 pts
1st - Sylvia Steinberg - 17 pts
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Verde
3rd - Ray Calderon = 12 pts
2nd - Geraldine Villapanto - 27 pts
1st - Jim Stoddard - 33 pts - HAT TRICK
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Red
5th Honorable Mention - Geraldine Villapanto
4th Honorable Mention - Armando Sanchez
3rd - Bill Ray - 16 pts
2nd - Steve Crawford 16 pts (won tie breaker)
1st - Barry Steinberg - 23 pts
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Dennis and Allene Macklin
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Fearless Fred & Crazy Cow Patti
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Happy Burro Chili & Beer will be opening for business on April 1st. This is NO Fools Joke! If you can come and join us on our opening day it would be great, we will however be having a more 'formal' Grand Opening at a later date that will fit in with the scheduled Chili Cook offs.
Oh and sorry Phil... no free beer or dogs for you!
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