Winners at Chili, Salsa Cook-off

After the adult chili eating contest the crowd had about another hour to cast their votes for the best and most tasteful chili or salsa. It came down to a mere handful of votes for most of the winners. Here is a list of the complete winners from each division.

The Cook-off features two divisions - the International Chili Society (ICS) sponsored categories and the People’s Choice.  The ICS division has three categories - red chili, chili Verde and salsa.  People’s Choices has red chili and salsa.  Prize money aside, for contestants entered into the ICS categories the singular goal is to win first place, which guarantees eligibility for the ICS Worlds Championship later this year. 

All winners below received a plaque for their category in addition to any cash prizes. 

ICS competition winners are:

• Red Chili: 1st place and $1,500 was awarded to Mike Freedman of Somers, CT with Mad Mike’s Politically Correct Chili;
• 2nd place and $300 went to Rhone Carr of Mantua, NJ with Rhone’s Rangers Chili;
• 3rd place and $100 went to Doug Johnson of Harrisburg, PA with Eagle’s Chili
• 4th and 5th place, respectively, went to Jack Cowell of Ansonia, CT with Bad Bandito Chili and Raymond Palazzo Jr. of Somerset, NJ with Cross Eyed Chili. 

The ICS Chili Verde winners are:

• 1st place and $500 went to Linda McGrath, Weatogue, CT;
• 2nd place and $200 went to Dave Lorenz of Marlton, NJ;
• 3rd place and $100 went to Kurt Leithner, Avenel, NJ. 

ICS Salsa winners were as follows:

• 1st place and $400 to Damir Penava of Ridgewood, NJ;
• 2nd and $200 to Mike Scranton of Edison, NJ;
• 3rd place and $100 to Judi Omerza of Wilkes-Barre, PA. 

All of the ICS 1st place winners are invited to compete in the 2011 Worlds Championship later this year as representatives for New Jersey.

This year’s People’s Choice winners are: 1st place Red Chili and $1000 went to Felix Del Valle, booth #110 of Lakewood, NJ with Latinos On The Loose; 2nd place and $300 to Mary Miranda, Booth #111, of Colonia, NJ with Pop Hots; and 3rd place and $100 to Adrienne Merchant, Booth #130 of Toms River with Red Headed Stepchild Chili.  People’s Choice Salsa winners are: 1st place and $400 went to Frank Benowitz of the Mercer Co. Community College, Booth #128 of Somerset, NJ and 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, went to Scott Cullen, Booth #116, of Toms River, NJ and Michael Britton, Booth #115 of Toms River, NJ.  Best Booth/Showmanship award went to Pop Hots, represented by Mary Miranda who received $100 for outstanding efforts.