Posted by: Bethany on 02/03/2008 06:40 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 02/03/2008 11:19 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Chili Cookoff Generates Food, Funds for Calaveras Food Bank ~ By Bethany Monk
Murphys, C.A...The first annual Chili Cookoff at Murphys Hotel earned more than $500 and half a pick-up truck full of canned food items to be donated to the Calaveras HRC Food Bank, according to the hotel's owner Dorian Faught. At least 150 people participated in the Superbowl Sunday cookoff from 2 to just past 4 p.m Feb. 3 outside the hotel in historic downtown Murphys, Faught said.....
Several contestants, in teams of two to about five, arrived at the site in the morning and began cooking their secret recipes for the afternoon contest. Judges included the several cookoff visitors, many who sampled each of the 14 different types of chili at the event.
The winners, announced shortly after 4 p.m. include Larry and Sherry Woods, first place; Arnold Rotary Club, second place; and Marc Jackson and Robert Lightfoot, third place. Don and Rose Boose won first place in the People's Choice Award.
Arnold Rotary auctioned off its prize winnings -- a basket of wines and other goods -- to an audience member for $45. The club will donate the money to the Calaveras HRC Food Bank.
"It's been really fun," Lori Berry, member of the "Twice Lori" Chili Cookoff Team and Douglas Flat resident, said of the event."There are lots of different chilis. It's a great opportunity to help others."
Chili Cookoff contestants could pay $5 or donate five canned goods to enter the contest. Visitors had the option of either paying $10 and donating one canned good item, or donating a total of 10 canned food items to taste the day's chili samples.
"It was great," said Lee Seaton, another Chili Cookoff contestant and Texas native. "It's in the DNA," he said of his Texan background and natural affinity toward chili-making. The Food Bank is a direct recipient of the cookoff's proceeds, something Seaton said makes the event even better.
As for the secret to Woods' first place chili-making recipe?
"Beer and Whiskey," he said, after receiving his prize: a wheelbarrel full of wine and other items. "It's great (to win)," he said, adding that he had "no idea" he'd come in first.
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