9/24/2008 12:12:00 PM Co-op's chili cookoff will spice things up
Fourteen area restaurants, businesses and organizations will compete for the title of Stoughton's Best Chili at the 2nd Annual Viking Chili Bowl this Saturday.
The Viking Chili Bowl, a contest event benefiting the Yahara River Grocery Cooperative, is part of Stoughton's first Carp Fest scheduled Sept. 27, in Mandt Park.
Although CarpFest will feature various events going on from morning until late at night, the Viking Chili Bowl itself will be held from 5-7 p.m.
The Viking Chili Bowl will feature chili dished up in beautiful, handcrafted pottery bowls. Besides a bowl filled with chili and bread, the $15 ticket price includes a sample of each of the 14 different chilies and a vote for the People's Choice Award. Children under 12 are admitted for free and receive a complimentary cup of chili and bread.
Chili tasters will sample chili from seven returning teams: Barber Bay's Inn, Bicksler Group Realty, Evergreen Bank, Halverson's Supper Club, High Stakes Ranch, Stoughton Hospital and Yahara River Grocery Cooperative. Halverson's Supper Club is defending its 2007 Stoughton's Best Chili title and second-place Stoughton Hospital is hot on their trail.
Competing for the people's vote are seven new teams: Ancora, Badfish Creek Clothing, the Council Cats, Countri Tavern and Grill, Main Street Jewelers, SMR Communications, and Victoria's. Ross Scovotti, who represented the City Council last year and had the third-place chili, is competing this year as a member of the SMR Communications team.
Besides a trophy, this year's best chili will receive up to a total of $100 in cash prizes. Celebrity judges - Mary-Carel Verden of Bountiful Cupboard, Eric Nielsen of Stoughton Courier Hub and Kim Walter of All Through the House - will pick the winner from the best meat and vegetarian chilies and the People's Choice Award. There also will be an award for the "hottest" team and table decorations.
Chris Matti and Erik Ellefson, two of the area's finest potters, are spinning the unique art bowls to fire up with homemade chilies. All Through the House donated a chili soup tureen for the door prize. Last year was a sell out with more than 200 people voting for their favorite chili. Only a limited number of tickets (and handcrafted bowls) are available this year. Tickets are on sale at the Co-op at 229 E. Main St. Also, tickets will be available at the door.
For more information about the Viking Chili Bowl, call Marlene Widra, event coordinator, at 877-9035.
