The competition was fierce and friendly at the 15th Annual Cloverdale Chili Cook-off at Clover Square Village, Friday May 18 during Rodeo Week in Cloverdale.
The crowds who turned out were rewarded with a tantalizing array of chili to sample, from Smokin’ Chipotle Chili to Kev and Steph’s Rockin’ Rodeo Chili – some 16 entries in all, many non-professional.
If folks came out for the free chili samples, they certainly stayed for the party, which featured live entertainment by B.C. Junior Talent Search contestants, plus kid-friendly activities like face painting and a colouring contest.
The winners are decided by the discerning voting public.
There were long lines, particularly for the Bettina Reid Group’s chili, which was edged out of the top three.
In the end, the voters went with Rusty’s Special Chili, by Rusty’s Neighbourhood Pub, naming their recipe best overall in the 2012 Cloverdale Chili Cook-off.
MLAs Kevin Falcon, Stephanie Cadieux and staff failed to reclaim their title, despite having plenty of their secret ingredient on hand – chocolate shavings instead of the more traditional cheddar cheese.
Voter Isabella Charon, a past volunteer for the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, liked Quality Wine Cellar’s Chateau du Vino chili the best. She was looking forward to another spectacular rodeo weekend.
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