Crowds get a taste of best chili in Idaho

Hungry Mountain Home residents flocked to Carl Miller Park on Saturday for the Idaho State Championship Chili Cookoff, an event that is a first for Mountain Home.

In total 10 cooks coming from all over the United States, including Colorado, Oregon, Montana and Idaho, took part in the event sanctioned by the International Chili Society. The event was sponsored by A.J.'s Restaurant and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

The contestants were judged in three categories; Salsa, Traditional Red and Chili Verde by a panel of 26 judges that included Mountain Home Mayor Tom Rist, former Mountain Home Mayor Joe B. McNeal, and County Commissioner Larry E. Rose.

Based on a blind judge test, where the entries were numbered corresponding to their category, the judges chose their favorites, awarding three points for first, two points for second and one point for third. Another contest, judged by the guests of the contest, was the People's Choice event.

While the judging was taking place, the contestants set up different booths offering samples of their chilies and salsas.

Mountain Home residents were treated to live entertainment from Third Take, performing classics such as "Mustang Sally" and several country music hits from stars like Toby Keith and Travis Tritt. Concessions, including hot dogs sold by United Metals and a beer tent offering Samuel Adams and Paps Blue Ribbon, were available.

"The turnout was great, we were glad to have so many people committed to the event and we hope to have a bigger turnout next year," said scorekeeper Barbara Ward.

"Certainly, this event is in its first year, and I'm happy that I was invited. Based on the enthusiasm of the organizers, I can see this event getting better and better every year," said Rist.

"I love it, I've been cooking for 19-20 years, these chili cookoffs are good for charity and I enjoy the fact that my cooking pleases the judges and spectators," said Joe Barrett, winner of several top awards including the Texas State Chili Championship in 1999 and two time Idaho State Championship in 2002 and 2006.

The following are the results of the chili cookoff:

Traditional Red

1st Place--Kurt Schulz, Billings, Mont.

2nd Place--David Garcia, Nampa, Idaho.

3rd Place--Dennis Robinson, Caldwell, Idaho.

4th Place--Bill Hess, Eugene, Ore.

5th Place--Ellen Lilja, Albany, Ore.

Chili Verde

1st Place­--Marilee Barrett, Worley, Idaho.

2nd Place--Bill Lilja, Albany, Ore.

3rd Place--Al Henry, Lakewood, Colo.

4th Place--Christy Jones, Sagle, Idaho.

5th Place--David Garcia, Nampa, Idaho.

Salsa

1st Place--Dennis Robinson, Caldwell, Idaho.

2nd Place--Patrick Telfer, Boise, Idaho.

3rd Place--Amanda Fitzgerald, Mountain Home, Idaho.

4th Place--Vince Boxleitner, Boise, Idaho.

5th Place--David Garcia, Nampa, Idaho.

People's Choice

1st Place--Vince Poxleitner, Boise, Idaho.

2nd Place--Christy Jones, Sagle, Idaho.

3rd Place--David Garcia, Nampa, Idaho.

4th Place--Calvin Kirkendall, Mountain Home, Idaho.

5th Place--Mark Koopman, Mountain Home, Idaho.