It's Thursday March 28, 2024
Chili Cookoff
Axelson Takes People's Choice AwardOctober 22, 2013
Oriental’s Old Theater held its 6th Annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday with about a dozen restaurants, businesses and individuals competing. About 240 people took part, sampling chili and casting votes.
The forecast for rain put everyone under a big Rotary Club tent.Axelson Chiropractic won the People’s Choice award, garnering the most votes of the chili tasters. Toucan Grill nabbed the Judges’ Choice award.The event is a fundraiser for the Old Theater.
Winners of the 2013 People’s Choice award at the Old Theater’s Chili Cookoff, were the crew from Axelson Chiropractic — Dr. Ken Vieregge, Jennifer Del Rio and Shawn Shuck.Axelson Chiropractic called their entry Dr. Vieregge’s “Spine-Tingling Chili.” It came with a warning…..No shortage of enthusiasm. Nelda Coats of the Old Theater announces the winners. At left, Per Erichsen, who was MCing and Marlene Miller of the Old Theater.Winners of the Dragon Cups:Judges Choice: Toucan Grill
Peoples Choice: Axelson ChiropracticWinners of “Authentic Wind-up Dragons”Best Shredded Beef Chili: Nautical Wheelers
Best Traditional Chili: Pigeon Holes
Best Vegetarian Chili: Partners in Health
Best Aroma: West Marine
Best Seafood Chili: Bill Sternberg
Best Sausage Chili: Karen Van Gamper
Meatiest Chili: Inland Waterway Provision Company
Smokiest Chili: Arlington Place
Best Theme and Display: Egg TradersMelanie Gordon of the Toucan Grill which was the Judges’ Choice award winner.Be not afraid of the dragon…[page]
… it was Alexis Kisby at the Egg Traders booth. The entry won for Best Theme.The award reads, Best Smokey Flavor, and went to the Arlington Place contingent, from left, Cathy Creswell, Elaine HIlls, Renee Loboda and Nan Zillioux.At the ballot box. Those who took part sampled the various chilis and the voted for their favorite for the People’s Choice Awards.Nancy Crain and Darrell Wiard were part of the Judges’ Award team, which also included Bill Sage. No ballot box, but there may have been a ballot bottle involved. Nancy and Darrell were tapped to be judges after winning last year, a tradition that organizers say may bear repeating.Bill Wheeler of Nautical Wheelers was offering coupons for caramels at the store to take some of the edge off. (While you can find more Columbia shirts there, the pepper necklace is not for sale.)[page]
Representing Susan Koepp’s Partners in Health were Kathryn Garcia and Terry Halpern.Amy and Ben Chapin were doling out chili at the West Marine table.Bill Sternberg took home a memento and an honor for Best Seafood Chili.Local artist Karen Van Gamper had the Best Sausage Chili.Maggie Monk © and the crew from Pigeon Holes were honored for their Most Traditional Chili.