Chili cook-off heats up, melts winter blues

THE WINNER IS – Representing the Farmer’s Daughter, Beverly Bush, left, made her grandpa’s recipe for ranch chili for the Hill City Chamber sponsored Chili Cook-off, held in Hill City last weekend. Bush’s recipe, which included a dab of pepper chutney, won first place out of 10 varieties around town on Saturday. Having a taste are, from left, Karmin and Mike Hacker of Rapid City and Dennis and Mary Machow of New Ulm, Minn. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

By Carol Walker

The cold winter blues turned to a warm, red cheer in Hill City on Saturday as visitors and local people took part in the “Breakin’ the Winter Blues” Chili Cook-off sponsored by the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce. Of the 10 pots of chili scattered around town at various businesses between 10:30 a.m. and noon, Beverly Bush, representing the Farmer’s Daughter, garnered first place honors and $50 in Chamber Bucks.
Angela Raderschadt, new events coordinator for the chamber, was not sure what to expect last weekend since she had not been involved with the cook-off in 2011.
“I think it went well. People came up from Rapid City, so that was good. From what I understand from others, the numbers of people attending the event increased quite a bit from last year,” said Raderschadt.
Bush agreed, saying that as she manned the store there seemed to be a good turnout. People were shopping as indicated by bags in their hands.
“There was even someone from New York and a guy from Ireland. He was a tour bus operator in Ireland during the summer months so this is the only time of the year he could find to travel,” said Bush.
Besides Farmer’s Daughter, other businesses participating in the cook-off were DJ’s Boutique, Stage Stop Leather and Gifts, Gold-N-More, Hill City Ambulance Service, Heart of the Hills Antiques, Broken Arrow, Granite Sports and ArtForms Gallery (with two types of chili).
Chili was judged on color, aroma, consistency, taste and after-taste. Intent on breaking the winter blues, Chris Voyles walked around town trying varieties of chili and judging them by those criteria. By taking the time to vote for her favorite one, she was entered in a drawing, and her name was drawn to receive $25 in Chamber Bucks.
“Linda Block and I tasted all the chilis. I enjoyed all the varieties, the sense of community and the pride that the cooks had in making and sharing their chili,” said Voyles.
Voyles did say she hopes they will extend the hours for tasting next year, as they really had to rush to taste them all in an hour and a half, which left little time for shopping. Raderschadt said that is in the plan for next year. She also said they will incorporate other activities with the cook-off.
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