It was close, but once the final votes from the judges were tabulated, the winner of the second annual Chili Cookoff at the Masonic Lodge – Jeff Duguay.
His entry, one of 11 this year, narrowly topped that of Abby Warnock and Maeve Gate who represented the Rainbow Girls and it was their very first-time making chili together.
For Duguay, he also won the People’s Choice Award, an accomplishment that he achieved last year at the Lodge’s first cookoff.
It was a capacity crowd for the event in Amherstburg and one that was a fundraiser for a local group.
“We are proud to present a portion of the proceeds to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission,” said Dave Cozens, who was the event’s host.
One of the entries this year had a true bilingual taste to it as the chef said it contained moose which he harvested in Quebec, wild turkey from Ontario and beans grown right here in Essex County.
The youngest entry was six-year-old Ben Gray of Amherstburg, who proudly dished out the chili he and his grandfather Steve made. Steve Gray travelled all the way from Pickering to be at the cookoff.
Wearing a chef’s hat for the occasion, Ben was second behind Duguay in the People’s Choice Award.
The night included a raffle draw and it is anticipated it will be held again.
“This is a wonderful response, let’s keep it going,” said Brenda Hooper of the hosting club the Eastern Star who also, for the second year, had an entry.
Judges graded the entries on aroma, texture, appearance and taste.
Eleven great chilis for second annual cookoff
By Fred Groves
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