25th Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff
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The day was sunny and warm for the 25th Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff put on by the Winchendon Kiwanis. They have been doing a fantastic job for so many years, and Bruce Cloutier has been at the helm. He's at the site from 5:30 in the morning and helps in every area of the fun filled family cookoff. The spectators come and spend the whole day, with a great band entertaining them and a DJ doing all sorts of kid activities. There are balloons, food, clowns and lots of prizes. The chili cooks look forward to this cookoff every year, and this year with the weather being so nice, we had a huge crown. There was a long line to get in most of the morning. We had quite a few cooks this year (2 tables of red) and it was nice to see some familiar faces. It was especially good to see Joe Harvey back cooking, looking good in spite of his recent illness.
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We were very pleased to see Bruce Cloutier receive the Cy Gross Award, an award to honor the recipient's dedication to the advancement of the chili cookoffs. He surely deserves it after so many years of dedication to the cooks.
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One of the nicest People's Choice prizes in the Northeast is always at this cookoff in Winchendon, a large furniture manufacturing city. This year the top People's Choice prize was a beautiful dining room table donated by Saloon Furniture. It didn't have to travel too far, as the Winchendon Fire Company won this prize and was able to easily transport it to its new home.
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Other winners:
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Youth division (under 18)
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3rd – Kaitlyn Hennessy, NH
2nd – Bryan Navaroli, MA
1st – Steven Strong, MA
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Salsa:
3rd – Judi Omerza, PA
2nd – Marc Frechette, MA
1st – Vickie Tankis, MA
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Chili Verde:
5th – Steve Lane, MA
4th – Mike Kropp, NH
3rd – Wendy Hennessy, NH
Winning a tie for 2nd – Marc Frechette, MA
1st – Don Ouellette, NH
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Red Chili:
5th – (losing tie) – Lori Skinner, MA
4th – Mike Kropp, NH
3rd – Wendy Hennessy, NH
2nd – Dave Schulman, CT
1st – Jerry Buma, MA
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Jerry was very moved, first when his daughter won Salsa, and then winning Red chili for the first time in his home state. He was thrilled beyond words to be able to represent Massachusetts in Charleston this year.
Congratulations to all the winners.
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WESTERN REGIONAL CHILI COOKOFF
August 1, 2009
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A day at the beach is al ways fun. A day at the beach at the horserace track---what could be better?! Chairman Claude Covington and the Western Regional Board of Directors always do an outstanding job of putting this event together. The cooperation of the Del Mar Racetrack is unsurpassed. The cooks are set up in the infield of the track with plenty of room and multitudes of chili fans to sample their People's Choice chili.
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Claude has been worried for quite some time that the turnout of cooks would be low, as he had less response prior to the cookoff than usual. Worried is not a strong enough word. He was convinced that the event would be terribly underattended by the cooks. The Chairman of the Studio Diner Regional Cookoff, which was to have been held the day following the Western Regional, cancelled his event about three weeks ago because he had heard from only six cooks at that time. The responsibility of chairing an event such as a chili cookoff is awesome, and any chairman worth the name takes this responsibility ver y seriously. There's a message here for you cooks (or at least for the Southern California cooks). Let the Chairmen of these cookoffs know that you are planning to compete. We all know that plans can change---you may get qualified for the World, or you may have something personal prohibit your participation. But, if they know that your intention is to support their event, they can go forward with their plans with much more peace of mind. It is easy to communicate with the Chairmen. Go on the ICS web site and fill out the online entry form and send it. It just takes a minute, and you don't even have to send any money. For those of you who are computer illiterate, pick up the phone and talk to the chairman, or send an entry form in the mail, or just a note saying that you plan to be there. We are all sad and disappointed that we are missing out on the opportunity to cook or judge at the Studio Diner, which has been a wonderful event, supporting a wonderful charity, The Injured Marines Fund.
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Climbing down from my soapbox, it turns out that the Western Regional was very, very well-attended. Salsa contestants numbered 25; Chili Verde cooks submitted 18 entries, and there were a total of 33 competitors who turned in Traditional Red Chili for judging. All of the chili contestants were required to participate in the People's Choice chili contest. In addition to these, Dennis Macklin, who did not compete for chili, and Armando Sanchez, who only turned in salsa, set up booths and handed out their People's Choice chili all day long to the hungry crowds. The extra effort that they made to support this cookoff is very much appreciated.
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As is her habit, our leader, Carol Hancock, attended this event. She was accompanied by her husband, Dave, and several friends, who contributed their taste buds to the judging panel. We were also pleased to see Fred and Leah Wieland there. It is the first time that many of us have seen Leah since her recent bout with cancer. I am happy to report that she looks great and says that she feels very well! Fred and Leah brought with them several family members, daughters with their husbands and children and children's children. Those of us who remember when Fred and Leah's granddaughters were babies, were excited to see the new great-grandbaby additions. Also joining us for the day was the new Chief Judge of the World's Championship Chili Cookoff, Steve Porter, accompanied by his lovely wife, Linda. Steve could not participate in the judging or officiating of the cookoff, as his daughter, Jennifer, was competing. Here is another instance where we knew Jennifer as a small child and now here she is, married with a darling little boy of her own! Great friends, great memories and good fun is what the chili experience has been for many, many of us.
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People's Choice chili is a very big part of this cookoff. It is coordinated by Cl aude's family. They buy the supplies, make the tasting kits and ballots, then work hard the day of the cookoff, passing out the kits to the public and counting the ballots. They are Bill and Christy with their children, Marcia and Jimmy; Dave and Julie with Hannah and Alex; and, of course, Claude's wife, Joyce. Their efforts go unrewarded and seemingly unnoticed. They are a very important part of the success of the Western Regional Chili Cookoff. This year there were over 3,000 ballots turned in to be tallied!
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Also contributing to the success of this event is the raffle which is held every year by Sachiko Brecke. She works all year making beautiful handmade afghans and other desirable crafts. Her efforts were expanded by crafts from Joyce Covington, gift baskets from Russ and Judy Barnes of Sancho Blanco Chili, various prizes brought by Bill and Karen Ray and individual items from other generous donors. This year the raffle raised over $500.00 for the coffers of the nonprofit Western Regional Chili=2 0Cookoff. Sachiko and her husband, Red, are also responsible for furnishing the lovely lunch for the judges and VIPs at this event. The lunch features, always, Sachiko's awesome handmade sushi, which seem to get better every time!
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At the awards ceremony the Western Regional Board of Directors were commended for their efforts. They are Steve and Aggie Wright, Red and Sachiko Brecke, Mike and Kathy Stewart, Dennis and Allene Macklin, Scott and Sheila Gordon and Bill and Karen Ray. Chief Judge, Mike Austin, was presented with a special gift, commemorating his loyalty and work on behalf of the cookoff. He thanked all who have helped him, particularly his scorekeeping crew, headed by Kathy Stewart, who have made his job much easier.
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Carol Hancock took the stage to talk briefly about the upcoming World's Championship Chili Cookoff to be held in Charle ston, West Virginia. She particularly stressed the fact that contestants on all three days will be required to furnish and hand out People's Choice chili to the public. This is not optional. It is necessary for the success of the event. More on this subject will be forthcoming soon from the ICS Office.
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The winners were announced by Claude Covington and Mike Austin, and they were:
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Salsa:
3rd, Don Hammes
2nd, Barbara Ward
1st, Howard Choate
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Chili Verde:
3rd, Charlie Blosfield
2nd, Bob Wiseman
1st, Jim Rasey
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People's Choice Chili:
3rd, Mark Hammes
2nd, Matthew Tapping
1st, Betty Deever, who is a brand new ICS member competing for the first time! I just love I when that happens!
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Traditional Red Chili:
4th, Tish Crawford tied with Jim Latendresse
3rd, Bob Poston
2nd, Barbara Ward
1st, Karl Smith
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NM BACK 2 BACKS
August 8 & 9
Still time to sign up for the Southwest Regional and New Mexico State Chili Cookoffs! Good prize money, a classic car show, so a good crowd is expected, good judges and a great venue. Go to the ICS website to sign up.&n bsp; Hope to see you at the Route 66 Casino on August 8 and 9!
Thanls,
Paul Whitney, Chief Judge
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