Rain poured out of the February sky and the occasional streak of lightning cut through the gray clouds on Saturday afternoon. Intermittently, hail came rushing down in icy waves.
The Alpine VFW had, apparently, planned the perfect blustery weather for their fifth annual chili cookoff.
Inside the post, six mismatched crock-pots with entries available to taste were lined up on a table with tickets available so guests could vote for the one they thought was best.
Organizer Nancy Bailey said the event is held as a fundraiser for the post and the top three winners receive trophies to commemorate their chili championship.
Commander Jack Gauthier lingered near the table and pointed out that entry #3 had some unusual ingredients, including carrots while post visitors compared flavors and textures of the different varieties of chili.
Using a ladle, Vietnam Veteran and lifetime post member Fred Rivera pushed the chili around to check out its texture.
“I tried them all and even came back for seconds. I think I’m going with #6,” Rivera said.
Tim Coles compared the flavor to the chili they make at home.
“I don’t know, this definitely isn’t my mom’s chili or anything, but I have to say: #3 is putting up a pretty good fight. It tastes like they used roast beef,” Coles said.
Turning to his wife, Carley Coles, Tim said:
“I wish you would have made some of that venison chili.”
A triad of sisters under the age of 10 reached for the fixings instead of the chili itself: homemade cornbread, tortilla chips and cheese. They ran out to the covered patio laden with tables draped in red, white and blue tablecloths and danced around while thick raindrops landed on the roof above.
In a follow up call, Bailey said this year’s entries proved hard competition. Donna Rodes took first place but second place was determined from a three-way tie between Amanda Hayes, Nancy Bailey and Gauthier.
“It was really unusual to have three entries with the exact same number of votes. Jack took his name out and we put the other two names in a cup then had a non-taster independently draw one of the names. I ended up taking second,” Bailey said.
The event raised more than $100 for the VFW post.
