Chili Cook-off Is February 16
Competition Heats Up Snowsfest

The hotly contested Snowsfest Chili Cook-Off returns to Hessel Saturday, February 16, challenging local cooks to crack out their creative recipes.

In the Les Cheneaux Islands, the most commonly served variation is Cincinnati style chili, made with ground beef, beans, and a variety of spices. At Snowsfest, chili cook-off organizers have seen recipes featuring ingredients as varied as corn, steak, turkey, chicken, sausage, cornmeal, peanut butter, venison, wine, and beer. Variety is encouraged.

Chili contest coordinators expect 15 to 20 entries in the contest, including a few from the Haske family, which plans to continue its two-year rivalry. Typically more than 100 people sample chili and vote for their favorites. At the 2007 Snowsfest, Jonas Carpenter of Cedarville won the homemade division, while Ang-Gio's Restaurant of Cedarville won the commercial division.

The public can sample all chili entries for $3, which will give them two voting tickets. Winners will be determined by popular vote. Only one business and one homemade recipe will be named the winners. The winner of the commercial division will receive a plaque and a gift basket. The winner of the homemade division will win $50 and a gift basket.

Tasting will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and competitors should have their entries to the warm-up tent by 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Winners will be announced after 2 p.m.

Competitors are advised to enter in advance, to ensure adequate table space at the contest. Entry is free. An electrical outlet will be provided to keep chili pots warm. At least four quarts of chili, in a crock-pot or similar server, must be provided, with a ladle. In the past, some competitors who have not provided enough chili have run out and lost votes because tasters were unable to sample the chili through the end of the contest. Pots should not be labeled visibly, because the contest is a blind taste test.

Register by calling the Les Cheneaux Welcome Center at 484- 3935, or by stopping by the office on M-134 in Cedarville. Entry slips are also available at First National Bank of St. Ignace, Les Cheneaux Branch in Cedarville. Late registrations can be brought to the tent Saturday morning, February 16.