On Saturday, February 22, 2014 the Middlefield Market held it’s annual Chili Cook-Off Competition.
The competitors were:
- Rita Anselmo
- Farm Credit Mid America
- Farmers Grill
- Geauga County Tourism
- Scentsy
- The Cupcake and Pie Factory
- HGR Industrial Surplus
- MT Trucking
- Middlefield Bank #1 and Best Dressed Table
- Spot the Duck Children Books
- Kirk Farm B&B #2
- Geauga News
- Rustic Rewind
- American Family Insurance
- Amish Home Craft and Bakery
- Relay for Life
- Penny Pincher New and Used Furniture
- T&T Cleaning
- Crossroads Cafe
I am pleased to announce that Geauga News participated in this event which was a first for us. I could tell the competition was stiff and we were rookies coming into this event. But this didn’t stop us from having a fantastic time!
Our very own “In the Kitchen” writer Sheryl Gusler made the chili for our team. It’s a Polish Style chili and it has been passed down through her family for over four generations. Sheryl wouldn’t give up all the secret ingredients, but boy was it good! We had lots of compliments on our chili and that made for a successful day in my book.
Our booth was located right next to expert chili makers Mark and Barbara Titus from MT Trucking Company. Mark has participated every year since the chili cook off began and he even won the People’s Choice Award in 2009 and 2011. I was impressed by his accomplishments, but Mark didn’t win this year.
This year, The Middlefield Banking Company stole the show with two awards. Not only did they win First Place, which is a $100 cash prize plus bragging rights, but Middlefield Bank was also awarded Best Dressed Table. They had little mini corn bread muffins that were delightful. I enjoyed eating one of them myself. I think that may have helped them in their win. The chili was excellent as well.
Second Place winners taking home a $75 cash prize went to Kirk Farm Bed & Breakfast. I did not try their chili personally, but I heard one contestant tell me that they thought the second place winner was better than the first place winner. I guess this competition can be more subjective at times depending on your palate.
I really like how this event is set up. Here’s how it works.
The event is completely free to attend. Once you get inside, you immediately smell the aroma of chili and all the participants are abuzz about getting their “award winning” chili tasted. You purchase a packet of eight sample size cups for $3.00 and walk around trying the different chili.
A panel of judges tastes all the participants’ chili and they determine first and second place winners, but the public who attends determines the coveted People’s Choice Award.
This year’s judges were Bill Poole, Rick Seyer, and Leona Pliszka.
A small slip of paper is included in the packet of sample cups you purchase, allowing you to vote for your favorite chili for the People’s Choice Award.
This year’s People’s Choice Award receiving a plaque and a $100 in cash went to
HGR Industrial Surplus.
I personally voted for Geauga News, of course! Although we didn’t take home the prize, my team still had a great time. We will definitely be back next year for this event!
