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3rd Annual Mountain States Chili Cookoff

 Saturday August 12th, 2006 Longmont, Colorado

Bailey 2006 | Chili at the Ranch '06 | Colorado State 2006 | 2006 Mtn States CCO | 23nd Annual State of Colorado  Chili Cookoff | I've Got Zak's Back | 3rd High Country CCO | Sundance 2006 | Golden 2004 | 21st Annual Chugwater CCO

2006 Mtn States CCO

The Smell of Chili, the laughter of children, the rhythm of Jazz filled the air at the 3rd Annual Mountain
States Chili Cookoff.  This year the organizers decided to offer an event that the whole family could participate in.
 
  So with a new venue, closer to the center of town, and an New Orleans theme, this 3rd Annual event was off and running.  This year, to go along with the New Orleans theme, the Colorado State Jambalaya Championship was added to the cookoff categories.  Additionally, besides music, a children's activity booth was added much to the enjoyment of the many kids in attendance.
 
It did not take long for the cooks from four different states to get into the Chili Spirit and cook up some Red, Green, Wings, and Jambalaya.  With a good turnout from local cooks, including many first time cooks, the cookoff kicked into high gear with music from David Booker and the Alleygators.
 
With so many categories on the menu, the public showed up early.  They found themselves surrounded by colorful chili booths, and even more colorful chili cooks.  It wasn't long before the hungry crowd wanted some of the fiery concoctions that were being created.  Popsicles were being given out by one of the sponsors of the event, to quench the fire.
 
At the end of the day, with their chili pots empty, the public sated, and the points tallied, the cooks waited eagerly for announcements.
 
And now to the Winners.
 
In our Green Chili division, Steve Lee of Longmont Colorado took top honors closely followed by Gerry Hartshorn of Morrison Colorado.
 
The Judges "sweated" it out to pick the top spot in the Buffalo Hot Wing division.  But in the end, Steve Lee again walked away with this category as well with his "Honey Mango Habañero Dragon Wings"  Ivey Davidson, also of Longmont Colorado took 2nd.
 
Steve Lee and his Warriors of the Crimson Pepper also won showmanship.  Followed by Lyman Wilkinson and the Chili Shack.
 
*note: at this point, some of the cooks were starting to call this the "Steve Lee invitational chili cookoff"
 
And since he was on a roll, Steve Lee won the Colorado State Jambalaya Championship with his "Jumpin Jambalaya" which included, Chicken, Shrimp and Crawfish.
 
Not to be outdone by her father, Katie Lee (9) reprised her performance from last year by taking the top spot in the Colorado State Junior Championship.  (is this a chili family or what?)
 
Maggie Benton of Longmont, CO (no relation to Steve) Won People's Choice with her Mombo Jambo Jambalaya.
 
Last but not least -  Steve Lee won the Red Cookoff with his Warriors Red Chili.  Rocky Kimball of Highlands Ranch, CO took 2nd while Kyle Haberman of Scottsbluff, NE took 3rd.  Gerry Hartshorn of Morrison, CO took 4th and John Montgomery of Golden, CO took 5th.
 
We would like to thank all the cooks, judges, sponsors, kids and those people who just love to eat chili,. for coming out and supporting this wonderful event.  Through your efforts, we raised over $2400.  and in the end, that's what it is all about - Thank You!
 

 

 

For a slideshow of this wonderful event, press on the button below

Event Photos

 

 

And the Winners Are:

CASI Red (the official state food of Texas)

1.         Steve Lee                     Longmont, CO (Terlingua Qualifier)

2.         Rocky Kimball                 Highlands Ranch, CO

3.         Kyle Haberman               Scottsbluff, NE

4.         Gerry Hartshorn              Morrison, CO

5.         John Montgomery           Golden, CO (Terlingua Qualifier)

6.         Robert Batie                  Loveland, CO

7.         Ivy Davidson                 Longmont, CO

8.         Stephanie Lee               Longmont, CO – First time Cook (as an adult)

9.         Lyman Wilkinson            Loveland, CO

10.       Julia Kimball                  Highlands Ranch, CO (Terlingua Qualifier)

 

Showmanship

1.         Warriors of the Crimson Pepper – Steve Lee              Longmont, CO

2.         The Chili Shack – Lyman Wilkinson                           Loveland, CO

3.         Ghetto Chili – Bob Ledet                                        Cheyenne, WY

 

Buffalo Hot Wings (The Official State Food of New York well Buffalo anyway)

1.                  Steve Lee                               Longmont, CO

2.                  Ivy Davidson                            Longmont, CO

3.                  Bob Ledet                                Cheyenne, WY

 

Green Chili (Not the Official Food of anywhere – but damn good nonetheless.)

1.                  Steve Lee                        Longmont, CO

2.                  Gerry Hartshorn                 Morrison, CO

3.                  Bob Ledet                        Cheyenne, WY

 

The Colorado State Jambalaya Championship    (The Official State Food of Louisiana)

1.                  Steve Lee                         Longmont, CO

2.                  Jay Fernandez                   Longmont, CO

3.                  Al Flowers                         Longmont, CO

 

Junior Chili (The Official Food of Future CASI Champions Worldwide)

1.                  Katie Lee                     Longmont, CO

 

 

People’s Choice (The Official Food of…..well…The People)

Mombo Jambo Jambalaya – Maggie Benton – Longmont, CO (with a little help from Jay Fernandez)