CHICAGO WEST REGIONAL - AUGUST 14, 2010
Maureen Barrett (Chairwoman) and her friend Lori worked very hard and produced an excellent ICS Regional Chili Cookoff and this their first time. Congratulations to them and Adeana plus all the other volunteers………What a bang up job!
The setting for the cookoff and festival was held at the “Town Center” located at Archer and Willow Springs Rd. This is a beautiful new complex as well as the Village Center.
Everything worked well and as planned except for the “heat”. How hot was it you asked. It was terribly hot !! The good thing was that we did not get rained on as had been predicted.
All in all the contestants and the public came out and supported this event and everyone had a great time. Look for this Cookoff to be even bigger and better next year.
The festival sold tasting kits to the public for sampling, plus many other events and contest to help raise funds for the Village Recreational Parks and Programs. It is too soon to know the outcome, but it is estimated that the Cookoff and Festival raised a few thousands of dollars for these program.
And to the winners;
People’s Choice = Wes Carlson
Salsa 9 contestants
3rd = Larry Eastep (Springfield, IL.)
2nd = Cheryl Hwang (Oak Forest, IL.)
1st = Jose Torres (Orland Park, IL)
Verde 10 contestants
3rd = Mike Usiak (Chicago, IL.)
2nd = Dave Onesto (Palos Park, IL.)
1st = Larry Lentz (Nicholasville, KY.) won tie break
Chili 20 contestants
HM = Candice Thomas (Naperville, IL.)
3rd = Wes Carlson (Loves Park, IL.)
2nd = Diane Lentz (Nicholasville, KY won tie break
1st = Robert (Bob) Drnek (Western Springs, IL.)
Maureen was able to sign up 4 new ICS members with this cookoff and two of those new members placed with Bob Drnek winning the $1,000 for Red. He is a happy chili cook. Says he has been practicing for weeks for this cookoff.
Also with Larry’s win, this makes his “Hat Trick” complete.
As a side note, Larry and Wes donated their share of winnings back to the Village Parks and Recreation Programs - very, very nice gesture!
As you can see we had some very good contestants and other than the temperature and humidity, we all had a great time.
Congratulations to all the contestants………They are all winners!
