Chef Oscar Pérez Nafarrete from El Jardín de Ninette claimed the first place cooking prize at the 37th annual Mexican National Chili Cookoff, while the team from Just Chillin’ led the field in this year’s Margarita mixing contest.
Pérez earned the 2015 trophy and 10,000 peso cash prize for his palate-pleasing chili-con-carne concocted with a blend of meat, beans and four different types of chile peppers, slow-cooked underground for 36 hours.
Neill McKinney and George Webb came in second with their Dos Chileros entry. Third place went to 2014 defending champion Byron Cranston and his Havana Chili team.
Juan Carlos Abrego and sisters Renée and Paulina Yarto nailed the popular vote on opening day with their Huggy Margaritas, presented with full instructions: “Relax, take your time, Observe your Margarita, Taste, Enjoy the flavors, Feel the love.” And, in keeping with that good vibe mystique, they turned over their 5,000-peso winnings to the Lake Chapala Society’s fund for community education programs.
Cantina Margaritas took second, with third place honors going to the Chapala Fire Department team.
Of special note was the large field of Mexican competitors who signed up for this year’s drink and cooking contests, filling half of the total 23 entry slots.
Bob Howe, top gun for the 2015 steering committee, closed the three-day blow-out by extending heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and scores of hard-working volunteers who made it all happen. The Cookoff’s new layout concentrated in the lower section of the Tobolandia Water P
ark its busy entertainment program complete with after-hours rock concerts on Friday and Saturday
and the huge marketplace for diverse merchandize and refreshments made a hit with nearly 4,500 visitors who packed into lakeside’s largest annual charity event.
Chilli cookoff who’s who
–Chili Cookoff Board of Directors: Bob Howe, president; Lisa Bass, treasurer; Jorge Valencia, sales director; Laura García, marketing director; John Brown, beer sales director; Francis Shiver, liquor sales director; Carol and Jacque Bouchard, raffles directors; Sharon Howe, competitions director; Stuart Anderson, charity coordinator; Bill Clarke, parking, admissions and security director.
–Beneficiares: Casa de Ancianos de Chapala, Centro de Desarrollo (Ajijic), Cruz Roja Chapala, Love in Action Children’s Home (Chapala),
Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic, Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago, Proteccion Civil-Bomberos de Chapala, and the School for Special Needs Children (Jocotepec).
–Sponosrs: e-Sun Energy, Coca Cola, Corona Beer.