FRIDAY - Mar. 19, 2010

Chili Cookoffs Return to the Florida Keys

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Hi Everybody,

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Based on all the feedback I received, I'm convinced that if you ask the cooks who were there, they will universally tell you that last weekend's return of ICS to the Florida Keys was a major success.

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Gorgeous location, beautiful weather (albeit perhaps 'a bit windy' Saturday – working on that for next year), the recently crowned (in Nashville) "World Champion Line Dancing Team" – "The Chili Chicks", the wonderful and unique "après chili" opportunities to suit all interests and tastes…or stated otherwise: "the Keys". Life seldom gets any better; or if you will, everything chili cookoffs are all about…and perhaps best summarized by the cooks' collective: "For sure, I'm coming back next year!".

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23 and 24 Red cooks (and only slightly less in Verde and Salsa) competed in Saturday's "Florida State Cookoff" and Sunday's "Chili in the Keys Regional". The bowls on the tables (all six tables) reflected the high level of cooks who were there; think a very tough Prelim Table at the WCCC.

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I only say the above because in my humble opinion, Finals at the World are not only "hair splitters" from bowl one. They are also so tough that, as we have all long suspected from behind the stove, factors such as phases of the moon, psychic forces, extra-terrestrial influences, the song the entertainment group is playing when a judge tastes our bowl, plus other equally highly relevant issues, all play on judges' decisions…just kidding, but not a lot.

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Moving on to the winners (every event was Finals Table only):

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Florida State Cookoff – Saturday March 13^th

Salsa

3^rd Place Bob Kyle

2^nd Place Chris Everhart

1^st Place Scott Navaroli – will represent Florida State @ WCCC

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Chili Verde

3^rd Place Doug Roy

2^nd Place Gail Kyle

1^st Place Scott Navaroli – will represent Florida State @ WCCC

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Traditional Red Chili

3^rd Place Jose Hernandez

2^nd Place Dave Lorenz

1^st Place Christine Johnson – will represent Florida State @ WCCC

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Chili in the Keys Regional – Sunday March 14^th

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Salsa

3^rd Place Jim Stoddard

2^nd Place Kim Swierczek

1^st Place Lee Wood – will represent Chili Keys Regional @ WCCC

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Chili Verde

3^rd Place Kim Swierczek

2^nd Place Larry Weltikol

1^st Place Scott Sprouse – will represent Chili Keys Regional @ WCCC

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Traditional Red Chili

3^rd Place Jose Hernandez

2^nd Place Dave Lorenz

1^st Place Bob Kyle – will represent Chili Keys Regional @ WCCC

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I would be terribly remiss were I to not just simply mention, but rather give major emphasis to and profusely thank Dennis Ward, Mirna Hormechea and the Moose Lodge of Islamorada. These are the folks responsible for bringing ICS back to the Keys, after a much missed absence in 2009.

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That alone deserves our effusive praises and thanks. However, when you consider these folks had never organized an ICS cookoff of any type (never mind back-to-back World Qualifiers), yet put something together in just two and half months and on a shoe string budget, is simply flat out amazing.

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Then, when you consider that the result of their efforts was this terrific pair of events, all I can say is it is orders of magnitude beyond incredible! Again, thank you so very much and, as we used to say in the Navy – Bravo Zulu!

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I would be equally remiss were I to not mention and thank Doug Roy, for willingly and gracefully volunteering the sanction for the State Cookoff; an event which he has so successfully held for many years. Concurrently, copious thanks are due to our CEO – Carol Hancock – for agreeing to the Regional sanction as a substitute for a Florida one which had succumbed to the economy in 2010, thus making it possible for back-to-back qualifiers; thanks Carol!

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Finally, the biggest thanks go to all the ICS cooks, who came from far and wide in order to participate and make it the event it was. We all know that without you; there is no cookoff.

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In closing, the best news of the day is that the Moose Lodge, Denis and Mirna decided they will do it again next year; bigger and better with a year to plan. Actually, less than a year since they are looking at November 2010; talk about a "real-real-early" pair of qualifiers…stay tuned.

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Sergei Kowalchik

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P.S. We have three more Florida Regional Cookoffs coming up in April (10^th; 24^th & 25^th), where I'm privileged to be Chief Judge. Be on the lookout for postings in Dick's Chili World in the very near future…and hope to see lots of you there.

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DESERT RAT REGIONAL

Weather Report California City

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Once again I have been in contact with my buddies down at area 86. They are still working on their top-secret project where they have put together a Biographpressurewhethercomptroller that has the ability to insure good weather, sometimes! I've been checking with the National Weather Service and their computer models at the moment look pretty good for Saturday's cookoff on 3/27 /2010. I would like to remind all of the chili cooks out there that spring has sprung in beautiful California City the birds are chirping the rabbits are hopping the rattlesnakes are rattling, and Dirty Ole Phil is wandering aimlessly in the desert. (Spring fever) So it's time to get out and breathe some fresh air and cook some great chili. The American Legion always does a great job of hosting this chili cookoff. They will be cooking up a scrumptious breakfast Saturday morning. (For the first 50 in attendance cooks and judges) Randy the disc jockey will be spinning up some great tunes for your listening pleasure. And our emcee for the day the great connoisseur of good cigars and martinis Pete Caimi. Pete will keep everything rolling along in a secure and timely manner.

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THE ULTIMATE STEW CHALLENGE

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To be held Friday night before the cookoff. We now have at least six cooks cooking stew but there's still time for you to join the fun. We'll have some interesting and useful prizes for the winners plus a couple bucks. Dirty Ole Phil and I are planning on getting pretty stewed Friday night!

For more information contact:

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Him in charge Dirty Ole Phil Phil.Morosky@verizon.com

Chief Scorekeeper Donnie Gordon & Supreme Scorekeeper of Stewdom

Chief Judge Capt. Jim Maehl & Supreme Judge of Stewdom

chiliheadjim@aol.com

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By Capt. Jim

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Golden West Chili Shootout

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New district cookoff to be held in rustic Pescadero Ca. Mark your calendars Sat. July 24th. Benefit for the Native Sons of the Golden West. Pescadero is a cool little town about 1 mile from the coast about 12 miles south of Half Moon Bay. They get lots of weekend traffic and we will be cooking on the main road through town on a grassy lot with plenty of room. We have room for about 6-8 rvs dry camping. Contact me for details. We are working on sponsors and the prize money will be determined soon. Contact Ron Boisseranc ratrodchili@hotmail.com 408 340 0726. By the way I am still looking for recipes for our cookbook... Beyond Chili, The World's Best Chili Cooks Family Jewels, so send them in.

Thanks, Ron

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COOKS! Snowmass Chili & Brew Fest!

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INTERNATIONAL CHILI SOCIETY COOKS

SAVE THE DATE!

JUNE 4-5, 2010

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Friday, June 4: Hot Times Regional Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, June 5: Sizzling Snowmass Regional Championship
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To register now, go to
http://www.chilicookoff.com/Event/Event_Map_Search.asp?StateId=6

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COOK INVITES WILL BE SENT IN APRIL! Check out www.snowmasschiliandbrew.com for this

year's amazing music lineup!

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Cook Benefits!
$1,000 for Chili Red Friday & Saturday! $500 for Chili Verde
$500 each for Chili Verde
Free Party Passes- Sample over 75 beer flavors

Discounted Cook Lodging

Reserved Parking & helpful off-loading services

and More!!

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