Backwater's 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off a Hit with Cooks and Audience
For the third straight year, Backwater's Chili Cook-off has grown to a standing room only event. Twenty seven entries were judged for flavor, appearance and originality. It took the judges over an hour and a half to taste and evaluate all the concoctions. The Sunday afternoon event brought people from all over the county to watch and taste some of the best and, let's say, unique ideas of this classic spicy soup. Finally the winners were chosen. The first place plaque went to Bill Tannock with his "Paisley Texan Chili". In second was a wild chili named "Uno Frijole Picante" submitted by joint entrants Terri Koster and Susie Wilhelm, billing themselves as chefs Juan and Juanita. In third place was Pam Denning, using a recipe from Gary Busby calling the chili "The Pride of Indiana". The audience got to sample all the chili's and special ingredients from the southwest's unique blend of peppers to Cincinnati style. If you didn't overdose on chili, it was easy to have a lot of fun watching the judges and participants argue their cases for the best chili and bragging rights for another year. There was even one mother and son battle that saw age and experience win more points than youthful exuberance! Backwaters on Sand Key holds this event on the Sunday before the Super Bowl every year. It has become a ritual for "chili heads". An estimated crowd of 150 people spent a Sunday watching the event unfold. Don't miss next year's event!
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