2023 Chili Cookoff

Chili Cookoff 2023 was a hot and spicy event. At least 30 members and guests came out and enjoy the beautiful February evening for Chili Cookoff 2023 on Lake Boca.

With food and drink flowing, 30+ people on board and luckily somehow no one spilled chili or drinks on either of the boats!

Chasing Blue and Affection were the host boats and graciously welcomed all who arrived. And many arrived! Summer Wind, The Rabbit, Eximius and Greenline were anchored out enjoying the evening. Jeff Keiser, Chris Whitlock, Paul Alcock, Chip and Mariel Buttonow and Barry all provided taxi services to & from the event which allowed many to enjoy this event. Thank you taxi drivers for providing this service.

Competition for the 2023 Chili Cookoff title and coveted trophy was serious this year with 7 chili entries.

The two-time reigning champ had serious competition for the coveted chili trophy!

The judges (Suzi & Carl Wehe and Paul Alcock) were ready for heavy duty taste testing and possibly a few Tums for later. 21 bowls of chili were presented to the judges.

Chili was crafted by the following club members:

Sharyn Usher made her first attempt at American chili and hands down won the taste buds of the judges. Her American chili li had a distinctive smoky, slightly sweet, well-rounded flavor.

Kelli Whitlock returned with a chili she hoped would win the judges and the trophy. Her delicious entrycame close and tied for 2 nd place.

Astrid Hunton was shooting for a three-peat and tied for 2 nd with Kelli Whitlock.

Nikki Sonnenberg carefully crafted her Canadian chili using individual seasonings to create a well-balanced, flavorful chili entry.

Tanyia Piro made chili for the first time and crafted a tasty sweet potato chili.

Chip Buttonow, one of our hosts, created his favorite chili recipe. He didn’t realize how serious the competition was and plans to “turn up the heat “next year. The trophy would look beautiful on the saloon table!

Entry #7 is our mystery entry. It tasted good. I apologize for not remembering who made the chili. We did not write down the names of all the participants.

Pictures and video from the evening are on the HISC FB page.

The trophy has found a new home for 2023 with Sharyn Usher.

The competition is serious for the chili cookoff. Practice makes perfect! Your have 10 months to perfect your 2024 recipe!