Annual American Legion Chili Cook-Off
Commander of American Legion Post No. 63 Rick Ferguson was one of nearly 50 people who sampled the 18 entries at the 26th Annual Chili Cook-Off held at the Swan Valley Community Hall April 30.
There were 18 chili entries at the 26th annual American Legion Post No. 63 Chili Cook-Off to sample. Tasters voted for their favorite chili.
Pictured (L-R): Adjutant and administrator for American Legion Post No. 63 Ray Opp with Chili Champ Katie Wright and second place winner Lisa Bender. Mikkie Gleason (not pictured) won third place. First place winner received $150 and the traveling trophy. Second place received $100 and third place $50.
Jody Reed Sullivan won a door prize at the American Legion Post No. 63 Chili Cook-Off. She said her father Bob Reed was the Commander of Post No. 63 when the Chili Cook-Off was started in 1991.
Auctioneer Rip Grubaugh offers a pair of alligator boots to the bidders at the American Legion Post No. 63 Chili Cook-Off April 30.
SWAN VALLEY - American Legion Post No. 63 held their 26th annual Chili Cook-Off Saturday April 30 at the Swan Valley Community Hall. Nearly 50 people participated in tasting and choosing their favorite among 18 entries.
Swan Valley resident Katie Wright gained the most votes with her mom's secret white chicken chili recipe. She took home the traveling Chili Champ trophy and $150.
Wright said she called her mom, Heidi, in Indiana and gave her the good news. She said her mom was delighted.
"This is the first time I entered [the Chili Cook-Off]." said Wright.
A plaque with the date and Wright's name will be added to the names of the other winners on the Swan Valley Chili Champs' board located in the hall. The Cook-Off started in 1991 with former resident Stephanie Janssen as the first Chili Champ. Wright said that she was happy to share the winners' circle with her friends this year.
Newcomer Lisa Bender, who moved to the valley last fall from Nebraska, was given second place. She received $100.
Bender said what made her chili special was the addition of poblano peppers which she said are not as hot as jalapeno peppers. She said, "Some people told me they were afraid to try the chili when they saw the peppers."
Mikkie Gleason was awarded third place and $50. To make her chili unique she added five different pepper flavors including serrano, pasilla and jalapeno peppers with cayenne and chili powder to her recipe. She said she combined several recipes to make her one-of-a-kind chili. For extra flavor she said, "I added Monterey Jack cheese and whipping cream."
Gleason said that she has been competing in the cook-off for five years and this is the first year she has won. In the past she said she and her friend Andrew Anderson have entered a recipe together. This year, however, they each entered their own recipe.
Many of the chili tasters-judges agreed that all entries were good, not too hot or spicy.
Swan Valley resident Marcia Tapp said that some were spicier than others, all had good flavor and the spices didn't overwhelm the overall flavor.
Resident Pam Hamilton said that even though all the chili looked the same, there were many flavors coming from a variety of ingredients.
The cook-off is a major fundraiser for the American Legion Post No. 63. Everyone who attended and wanted to judge the chili, paid a small entry fee to and were eligible for door prizes. 50/50 tickets were also available. Auctioneer Rip Grubaugh auctioned donated items to those present. Post No. 63 Commander Rick Ferguson said he was grateful for the large turnout of entries and supporters. The funds raised are used to send a junior attending Seeley Swan High School to Boys' State in Helena, maintain the community ball park, to keep plaques of deceased veterans current, to support Salmon Prairie and Swan Valley Elementary school programs and veterans' events held on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and for the Fourth of July parade.
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