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CHILI COOK-OFF HEATS UP THE WEEKEND

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, September 26, 2009 9:47 PM CDT

Saturday night brought the heat — in a bowl. Or to be more exact, a plastic cup.

Sarah Castleberry (above), from the Simmons “Smokin’ Hot Chili” team, samples the goods to see if it is ready for serving Saturday afternoon at the Junior League’s third annual chili cook-off at Lake Sarcaren. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

A crowd of more than 100 walked around Saracen Landing taste testing Saturday as the Junior League of Pine Bluff held their 3rd annual chili cook-off.

“It looks like everybody’s enjoying themselves,” said retired firefighter Skipper Hipp.

Sixteen teams were graded in a blind contest by 5 judges.

Proceeds from the night went to feed Jefferson County children.

Different themed chili booths were set up on the landing such as Miss Tana’s Dance Factory’s disco inferno.

“Well, I had a friend who said, ‘I can just see the flames coming from the chili’,” Tana Cook said. She wore a 70s dress with white go-go boots.

“We’re dance teachers, so we like dressing up,” Cook added.

She said she thought her biggest competition was situated across the landing and the 2007 winning team.

Matt Soto, Cook’s brother, was a Loco Barrachos team member.

With a saloon-styled stand named after “crazy drunk,” in Spanish, Soto said he thought the team was a main contender this year.

Last year, the chili did not turn out so well, he said.

“We were sabotaged,” Soto said.

Momma’s chili was being served at the booth nicknamed Cooking N High Cotton.

Brenda Dean said this has been the best year for the chili cook-off so far.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “I just hope they keep getting bigger.”

Chad Selman at the Buckwild booth said he bought some of his chili’s ingredients at the Farmer’s Market at the landing Saturday morning.

His team won 1st place last year, Selman said

“There was no recipe last year,” he said. “It was basically the same this year.”

Selman said his team would keep coming back as long as the Junior League of Pine Bluff decided sponsored it.

This year, Los Barrachos won 1st place for its chili, Hospice Home Care won 2nd place and Buckwild won 3rd place.

What do you need when you make chili?

Chili Powder.

— Tana Cook

Tomato base.

— Matt Soto

Good meat. Fresh ground chuck.

— Jeff Turner

A good team. And beer.

— Chad Selman

Good flavored meat. You can’t do anything with roadkill.

— Dave Lausten

Good, hot peppers.

— John Wall

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