Winners were announced Saturday at the conclusion of the Chillinois Regional Cookoff at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest. The cookoff is one of 2 during Chillifest weekend sanctioned by the International Chilli Society.
In chilli judging, first place went to Dearl (proun. Darrell) Thomas of Clinton, Illinois, who won 750-dollars, a plaque, and the right to compete in the I-C-S World Championship. Second place went to Lloyd Weir of Normal, Illinois, who won 200-dollars and a plaque. Third place went to Josh Nicole (pron. Nickel) of Taylorville, who won 100-dollars and a plaque.
In Chilli verde judging Saturday, first place winner was Bob Dunn of Taylorville, who won 200-dollars, a plaque, and a place to compete in the World Championship. Second place was Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who won 50-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner was Jill Goldberg of Madison, Wisconson, who won 25-dollars and a plaque.
And in salsa judging Saturday, first place went to Mike Goodman of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, who won 100-dollars, a plaque, and the right to cook in the World Championship. Second place in the salsa was Scott Barrett of Willow Springs, Illinois, who won 25-dollars and a plaque. Third place winner was Larry Lentz who won a plaque.
The first ever “People's Choice Awards”, voted on by the public, were also announced. In the red chilli, the winner was Dan Rodes; in green verde, the winner was Scott Barrett; and in salsa, the winner was Mike Goodman. Each received a plaque and will have their entry fee paid in the same category they cooked in, at next year's Taylorville Chamber Chillifest.
CAPTION TO PICTURE ABOVE : Winners were announced on Saturday during the International Chilli Society Chillinois Regional Cookoff at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest. Back row from the left: Patty Hornbuckle, CEO, Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce; Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who won 3rd place in the salsa competition; 2nd place salsa winner Scott Barrett of Willow Springs, IL, who also won the “People's Choice” award in green verde; first place salsa winner Mike Goodman of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, who also won the “People's Choice” award in salsa; Jill Goldberg of Madison, Wisconsin, who won 3rd place in the chilli verde competition; Bob Dunn of Taylorville, who won first place in chili verde; Josh Nicole of Taylorville, who won 3rd place in chilli judging; Lloyd Weir of Normal, IL, who won 2nd place in chilli; Dearl Thomas of Clinton, IL, who won first place in chilli judging; Dan Rhodes who won the “People's Choice” award in red chilli; and Tom Calvert who headed the I-C-S Chillinois Cookoff. Front row, from the left: Junior Miss Chilli Pepper Faith Maxwell; Chillifest Little Miss Liberty Courtaway; and Chillifest Little Mister Jack Dunkirk.
