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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If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@gmail.com

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TUESDAY - Mar. 16, 2010

AZ Copperstate Regional

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AZ Valley of the Sun Regional

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Two great cookoffs were held this past weekend, March 13th and March 14th, in Arizona at the Ahwatukee Swim and Tennis Club. The weather was perfect for cooking chili, and the crowds were appreciative for all the People's Choice chili that was ready for their tasting. Susan Hyden and her staff did a great job on providing us with a very nice green grass Little League field to cook on, nice meeting room in the Swim Center for the judging room (we had lots of good judges) and everything we needed to put on both cookoffs very smoothly. Bob Dinneweth and Bob Plager did a great job collectively on being Chief Judges, and Louise Dinneweth and Kathy Plager, along with Nicole Caimi did a fantastic job on scorekeeping. Pete Caimi, as usual, did a great job as our Wrangler and various other duties. This all led to a wonderful, fun, and well run event.

A Friday night dinner at On The Border Restaurant, near the host hotel, started the weekend off for our Chiliheads.

Cooks came from Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Nevada and Texas. We had 4 past Salsa World Champions, 1 past Chili Verde World Champion, and 1 past World Chili Champion in attendance. It was great to see Kevin Whitenack of the Barn Yard Boys out cooking again. It was also nice to see Nancy Swenberger out on Saturday, riding around on her scooter, enjoying herself.

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Now on to the winners:

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AZ Copperstate Regional - Saturday, March 13, 2010

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People's Choice - Jason Cox - AZ

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Salsa

3rd Place - Mick Joplin - TX

2nd Place - Skip Cooley - NV

1st Place - Pam Wright - AZ

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Chili Verde

3rd Place - Lynn Kost Virant - NE

2nd Place - Michelle Summerville - AZ

1st Place - Paul Whitney - AZ

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Red Chili

HM - Don Hammes- CA

HM - Barbara Ward - CA

4th Place - Wes Carlson - IL

3rd Place - Dick Swenberger - AZ

2nd Place - Mike Ford - CA

1st Place - Dione Cooley - NV (Completes her Hat Trick)

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AZ Valley of the Sun Regional - Sunday, March 14, 2010

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People's Choice - Jason Cox - AZ

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Salsa

3rd Place - Dave Wright - AZ

2nd Place - Skip Cooley - NV

1st Place - Mick Joplin - TX

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Chili Verde

3rd Place - Dave Wright - AZ

2nd Place - Lynn Kost Virant - NE

1st Place - Dick Swenberger - AZ

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Red Chili

5th Place - Mike Ford - CA

4th Place - Al Henry - CO

3rd Place - Dave Wright - AZ

2nd Place - Dick Swenberger - AZ

1st Place - Barbara Ward - CA ("The Dancer")

(Completes her Hat Trick)

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DESERT RAT REGIONAL

California City

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We are less than two weeks away from when The American Legion will once again be hosting the Desert Rat Regional Chili Cookoff in beautiful California City on 3/27/2010. You will have the honor of being in the presence of Him in Charge Dirty Ole Phil. A very interesting and dynamic personality bubbling over with enthusiasm and anesthetic with alacrity. California City located in the high desert north east of Los Angeles, it is a place that John Wayne never thought about visiting a place where Chuck Yeager flew over on his way to visit the sound barrier. Cal City has blue skies and clean recycle air from LA where you might see a U2 aircraft or the space shuttle or even a tired old DC 3. It is a place where even Bob Wiseman might see a rattler on the old Spanish Trail (a rattler is British terminology for a freight train). Dirty Ole Phil has once again provided breakfast for his cooks and judges (the first 50 in attendance) yummy. The prize money is nothing to sneeze at $500 $300 $100 for both red and green chilies, salsa $100 to the winner. We are expecting a big contingency of RVs this year as there is plenty of room for dry camping on clean dirt. If you are planning to attend in your RV please notify me or Dirty Ole Phil if you haven't already. Willma Maehl will be working in the judging area as Wrangler and tortilla slicer. There will be music provided by disk jockey Randy playing your favorite tunes. The emcee for the day is the unmistakable disciplinarian Pete Caimi to keep everything rolling on time and smoothly.

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STEW CHALLENGE

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It has been requested again & again to have a "Bragging Rights" Dutch Oven (the heavy black iron pot) Stew Challenge on the Friday 26 March 2010, before the Desert Rat Regional March 27, 2010. The rules will be very simple, must be cooked in cast-iron pot using charcoal or campfire (no propane type stoves) and ready for judging at 1800 (6 p.m.) Friday night. Judges will be picked on the spot or before. Dazzling Donnie will handle the scorekeeping. The stew will be judged only on taste. Please let Phil know if you intend to cook stew. Besides bragging rights we will have some useful prizes. A $15 entry fee will be required for expenses and bribes, with remaining monies returned as prize money. A minimum of five cooks are needed. So please sign-up to cook as this will be my dinner Friday night and nobody wants to see Capt. Jim waste away to a ton. (YUMMY)

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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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Northern Arizona Back to Backs

Now that the Phoenix Back to Backs are successfully in the books, it is time to turn your attention to the Northern Arizona Back to Backs in June. June 12 will be the 27th Annual Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff in Flagstaff. Located in beautiful Thorpe Park amidst the ponderosa pines, you'll have a fantastic view of the San Francisco Peaks as you cook up your pots of red and green. Red winner gets the famous Route 66 gas pump trophy, plus the traveling flag for the year. When the day is done, you'll head down one of the prettiest drives in the Grand Canyon State to Payson, home of the 39th Annual Arizona State Championship.

Stay at the Mazatzal Casino and their new hotel, then roll out the front door to cook Sunday morning. They offer great trophies and prize money and always are great hosts! Contact Paul Whitney, golfnchili@aol.com for more info

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If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@gmail.com

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SUNDAY - Mar. 14, 2010

Morro Bay District

The 1st Annual Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Chili Cookoff & Beer Feast is in the books - this is a GREAT place to hold this event - lots of local business/restruants were in competition with each other for People Choice in Red, Verde & Salsa - of course there was a contest as to which Mini Brewery had the best beer - Everyone that attended had a wonderful time (they had a LARGE crowd) This was due to Rick Carr's (the Chairman) hard work & advertising . Now for ICS - we had 10 Red Cooks 1st Jim Beaty 2nd Gene Beller 3rd Eileen Beaty . Sorry to say not enough for the Verde . Salsa - 7 Cooks 3rd Sylvia Rasey 2nd Eileen Beaty 1st Jim Beaty . I know that all the cooks who came here had a GREAT time - this event should be going on for a long time - Barry & I just want to say a Special Thanks to Bill & Karen Ray for coming all the way from Riverside just to help us out . Sylvia

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If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@gmail.com

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