Winners were announced Sunday afternoon, at the conclusion of the second day of International Chilli Society sanctioned judging, at the 32nd annual Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest. Tom Calert was chief judge and chaired the Cookoff committee again this year.
In chilli judging Sunday, first prize winner was Jeff Netzer of Seymour, Indiana, who won 750-dollars, a certificate, and advances to the World Championship next year. Second place winner was Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who won 200-dollars and a certificate. Third place chilli winner was Mary Thomas of Clinton, who won 100-dollars and a certificate.
In verde judging Sunday at the Greater Taylorville Chamber Chillifest, first place winner was Kristi Tobey of Bebe, Arkansas, who won 200-dollars, a certificate, and the right to cook at the World Championship next year. Second place winner was Lloyd Weir of Normal, who won 50-dollars and a certificate. Third place verde winner was Tom Hoover of Columbus, Ohio, who won 25-dollars and a certificate.
In salsa judging Sunday, first place winner was Tom Hoover, who won 100-dollars and a certificate. Second place winner was Lloyd Weir, who won 50-dollars and a certificate, and third place winner was Helen Lewis of Springfield, who won 25-dollars and a certificate.
In the People's Choice Awards on Sunday, the salsa winner was Brenda Weir of Normal, the verde winner was Henry Stephens of Hernando, Mississippi, and the chilli winner was Mary Cannon of Missouri. All 3 will have their entry fee paid in their division at Chillifest 2018.
More stories on the second day of Chillifest, including winners in the "Lil' Chilli Bean" Cutest Baby Contest, can be found by clicking the "Chillifest" icon on the blue menu bar of taylorvilledailynews.com.
CAPTION TO PIX 2696: Winners in International Chilli Society judging Sunday at the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest included, from the left: Chief judge and Cookoff committee chair Tom Calvert; Miss Chilli Pepper 2017 Allison Wright; Little Miss Chilli Pepper 2017 Thea Danyse Shanks; Larry Lentz of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who won 2nd place in chilli judging; Mary Thomas of Clinton, who won 3rd place in chilli judging; Kristi Tobey of Bebe, Arkansas, who won first place in verde judging; Helen Lewis of Springfield, who won 3rd place in salsa judging; Mary Cannon of Missouri, who was the People's Choice chilli winner; Henry Stephens of Hernando, Mississippi, who won the People's Choice verde award; and Chamber CEO Patty Hornbuckle.
