Owasso Harvest Festival Chili Cook-Off organizer Kay Fenrich lets People’s Choice chili competitors sample an example of People’s Choice chili at the recent People’s Choice Chili 101 class held at the Sertoma club house. Fenrich said “enthusiasm” is the main ingredient for winning People’s Choice chili. The Cook-Off will be held Saturday, Oct. 22nd at Centennial Park in Owasso. Some 30-40 People’s Choice chili entries can be sampled by those purchasing Tasting Kits. Proceeds from the sale of tasting kits go to support the Owasso High School FFA.
Chili Cooks Tune Up Recipes for Upcoming Harvest Festival Cook-Off
Owasso area chili cooks took advantage of a course in competing in a chili cook-off by attending the Chili Cook-Off People’s Choice 101 class held Wednesday at the Owasso Sertoma club house located just west of the railroad tracks on 76th St. N. downtown.
“We wanted the folks coming out to the Owasso Harvest Festival Chili Cook-Off on October 22nd to have a chance to learn just what it takes to put together a winning People’s Choice chili booth,” said Cook-Off organizer Kay Fenrich, who along with her husband John, have been competing in chili cook-offs for more than 30 years/
According to Fenrich the main ingredient for a winning People’s Choice entry is enthusiasm.
“If the people sampling your chili see that you are having fun, and you are interacting with them, you are more likely to get their vote,” she said.
The People’s Choice competition features teams from many organizations and businesses in the Owasso area. This year there will be a Youth Competition for young people in the 12th grade or under. Each youth team must be sponsored by an organization such as FFA, scouts, churches or schools and have an adult supervisor.
The People’s Choice winner is chosen by votes from those buying Tasting Kits. Each Tasting Kit contains a spoon, small cup, napkin and ballots for People’s Choice chili and People’s Choice salsa. The kits cost $3 and gives the kit holder unlimited tastes of some 30-40 People’s Choice chili pots. Proceeds from the sale of the Tasting Kits go to support the Owasso High School FFA.
Winners of the People’s Choice chili, People’s Choice salsa and Youth People’s Choice receive cash and a chili plaque.
Also being held Saturday, Oct. 22nd, at Centennial Park (3 miles east of Owasso High School on 86th St. N.) is the International Chili Society Oklahoma Championship Chili Cook-Off. Many of the best chili cooks in the United States come to Owasso for the Oklahoma Championship affair where the winner in red chili, green chili and salsa will represent Oklahoma at the 2012 ICS World Chili Championship Cook-Off. ICS winners will also receive cash and plaques. Those with tasting kits can also sample the entries by the ICS cooks after they have turned in the bowls for judging.
People’s Choice chili sampling starts at 11 a.m.
Any individual, business or organization wishing to enter the People’s Choice competition can still do so by going to www.owassochilifestival.com.
The Cook-Off is held in conjunction with the Owasso Harvest Festival featuring bounce houses, fair-type food, hayrides, costume contests, the YMCA scarecrow contest, face painting, balloon art and more.
This year there will be live entertainment on the chili stage and demonstrations of chainsaw art by Dean Anson at the P&K Equipment booth. Performing will be the Scott Ellison Band and Till Metro.
Sponsors for the Owasso Harvest Festival Chili Cook-Off include P&K Equipment, the Owasso Reporter, City of Owasso, Arvest Bank, Mail This! Copy That!, VCA Owasso Animal Medical Center, Hampton Inn & Suites, Owasso Liquor and Wine, McDonalds, Soc’s Realty, B&L Electric & Communication, Office Depot, Williams Refuse Equipment Co., Ranch Creek Pecan Farm, Tulsa Federal Credit Union, Tippi Toes Dance, J&K Media Resources, Tulsa Pets Magazine, Coldwell Banker Select, Green Acre Sod, Car/Truck Spa, Partnering for Pets, Rib Crib, At your Service, Page the Handyman, Martial Arts Academy and Kow Pasture Lounge.
Admission to the Festival and Cook-Off is free with free parking just south of Centennial Park off 86th St. N.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er3N3CDUgxE
