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The Smell of Chili, the
laughter of children, the rhythm of Jazz filled the
air at the 3rd Annual Mountain
States Chili Cookoff. This year the organizers
decided to offer an event that the whole family
could participate in.
So with a new venue, closer to the center of town,
and an New Orleans theme, this 3rd Annual event was
off and running. This year, to go along with
the New Orleans theme, the Colorado State Jambalaya
Championship was added to the cookoff categories.
Additionally, besides music, a children's activity
booth was added much to the enjoyment of the many
kids in attendance.
It
did not take long for the cooks from four different
states to get into the Chili Spirit and cook up some
Red, Green, Wings, and Jambalaya. With a good
turnout from local cooks, including many first time
cooks, the cookoff kicked into high gear with music
from David Booker and the Alleygators.
With
so many categories on the menu, the public showed up
early. They found themselves surrounded by
colorful chili booths, and even more colorful chili
cooks. It wasn't long before the hungry crowd
wanted some of the fiery concoctions that were being
created. Popsicles were being given out by one
of the sponsors of the event, to quench the fire.
At
the end of the day, with their chili pots empty, the
public sated, and the points tallied, the cooks
waited eagerly for announcements.
And
now to the Winners.
In
our Green Chili division, Steve Lee of Longmont
Colorado took top honors closely followed by Gerry
Hartshorn of Morrison Colorado.
The
Judges "sweated" it out to pick the top spot in the
Buffalo Hot Wing division. But in the end,
Steve Lee again walked away with this category as
well with his "Honey Mango Habañero Dragon Wings"
Ivey Davidson, also of Longmont Colorado took 2nd.
Steve Lee and his Warriors of the Crimson Pepper
also won showmanship. Followed by Lyman
Wilkinson and the Chili Shack.
*note: at this point, some of the cooks were
starting to call this the "Steve Lee invitational
chili cookoff"
And
since he was on a roll, Steve Lee won the Colorado
State Jambalaya Championship with his "Jumpin
Jambalaya" which included, Chicken, Shrimp and
Crawfish.
Not
to be outdone by her father, Katie Lee (9) reprised
her performance from last year by taking the top
spot in the Colorado State Junior Championship.
(is this a chili family or what?)
Maggie Benton of Longmont, CO (no relation to Steve)
Won People's Choice with her Mombo Jambo Jambalaya.
Last
but not least - Steve Lee won the Red Cookoff
with his Warriors Red Chili. Rocky Kimball of
Highlands Ranch, CO took 2nd while Kyle Haberman of
Scottsbluff, NE took 3rd. Gerry Hartshorn of
Morrison, CO took 4th and John Montgomery of Golden,
CO took 5th.
We
would like to thank all the cooks, judges, sponsors,
kids and those people who just love to eat chili,.
for coming out and supporting this wonderful event.
Through your efforts, we raised over $2400.
and in the end, that's what it is all about - Thank
You!
For a slideshow of this wonderful event, press on
the button below
CASI
Red (the official state food of Texas)
1. Steve
Lee Longmont, CO
(Terlingua Qualifier)
2. Rocky Kimball Highlands Ranch, CO
3. Kyle Haberman Scottsbluff, NE
4. Gerry Hartshorn Morrison,
CO
5. John
Montgomery Golden, CO
(Terlingua Qualifier)
6. Robert Batie
Loveland, CO
7. Ivy Davidson Longmont, CO
8. Stephanie
Lee Longmont, CO –
First time Cook (as an
adult)
9. Lyman Wilkinson Loveland, CO
10. Julia
Kimball Highlands Ranch,
CO
(Terlingua
Qualifier)
Showmanship
1. Warriors of the Crimson Pepper – Steve
Lee Longmont, CO
2. The Chili Shack – Lyman
Wilkinson Loveland, CO
3. Ghetto Chili – Bob Ledet Cheyenne, WY
Buffalo Hot Wings (The Official State Food of New
York well Buffalo anyway)
1.
Steve
Lee Longmont, CO
2.
Ivy
Davidson Longmont, CO
3.
Bob Ledet
Cheyenne, WY
Green
Chili (Not the Official Food of anywhere – but damn
good nonetheless.)
1.
Steve
Lee Longmont, CO
2.
Gerry Hartshorn
Morrison, CO
3.
Bob Ledet Cheyenne, WY
The
Colorado State Jambalaya Championship (The
Official State Food of Louisiana)
1.
Steve
Lee Longmont, CO
2.
Jay
Fernandez Longmont, CO
3.
Al
Flowers Longmont, CO
Junior Chili (The Official Food of Future CASI
Champions Worldwide)
1.
Katie
Lee Longmont, CO
People’s Choice (The Official Food of…..well…The
People)
Mombo
Jambo Jambalaya – Maggie Benton – Longmont, CO (with
a little help from Jay Fernandez)
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