A record number of 60 chilis were judged Saturday during the Little Balkans Days Chili Cook-Off.
This was the 25th anniversary for the cook-off, and it was also the official CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) Kansas championship event.
“It’s really an honor to host the state men’s and women’s cook-off,” said Eric Rosenblad, coordinator. “The weather is great and the competition is as keen as ever. It just couldn’t be better.”
L.C. Chatman, whose chili name is the Heatmaster, said things were going well.
“I’ve got a lot of people interested in some heat, and they’re willing to taste,” he said.
“That’s good.”
He had three salsas out for sampling, and advised people to start with the mildest one and work their way up the heat register.
“I’m trying to teach progressive heat, trying to use it the right way,” the Heatmaster explained.
“You can always dump some hot sauce on something to make it hot. It should be flavor, then heat.”
Debby Sandoval, Independence, was competing in her first CASI sanctioned event.
“I’ve been in a lot of small-town chili cook-offs, and I’ve been wanting to compete with the big boys for a while,” she said.
“I went on the CASI web site to look for CASI events close by.”
Sandoval said she’s glad she came to Pittsburg, and especially enjoyed the cook-off location right by Pritchett Pavilion, where a full day of live entertainment was scheduled.
“Everybody has been so nice, and they’ve even provided us music,” she said.
However, Sandoval wasn’t really competing against the big boys, because men and women compete separately in the championship event. Top three cooks in both divisions automatically qualify for the CASI international competition at Terlingua, Texas.
Winners in the men’s division are Steve Shepherd, Pittsburg, first place, with Matt Frye, in second place and Richard Hewlett, Haysville, in third. Women winners are Annie Morris, Pittsburg, first, Colleen Lintner, Shawnee, second, and Shelley Kroencke, Lenexa, third.
Winners in showmanship were Old Muley, Eric Rosenblad, Pittsburg; L.C. Chatman, the Heatmaster, second; and Toad Chokin Chili, Colleen Lintner, Shawnee, third.
Hot wings winners were Rosenblad, first, the Heatmaster, second, and Kevin Stovall, Lee’s Summit, Mo., third.
Salsa winners were Rosenblad, first, Mark Musser, Frontenac, second, and Kevin Smith, Farlington, third.
Other contests were held for junior chili cooks and for homestyle chili.
Regular competition chili must consist of meat and sauce, with no fillers such as beans or pasta permitted, but homestyle chili can contain anything the cook wants to throw in the pot.
Junior chili winners were Syndey McAvoy, Kansas City, Kan., first, Tanner McCauley, Pittsburg, second, and Hanna Sopata, Pittsburg, third.
Homestyle winners were Kevin Stovall, Lee’s Summit, first Kyle Greenlee, Springdale, Ark., second, and Dylan Walters, Republic, Mo., third.
