A pinch of creativity, a dash of secret sauce, a generous amount of imagination and a full cup of fun, were the main ingredients at the 14th annual Chili Cookoff. This hot and spicy event was held at Kukui Grove
A pinch of creativity, a dash of secret sauce, a generous amount of imagination and a full cup of fun, were the main ingredients at the 14th annual Chili Cookoff.
This hot and spicy event was held at Kukui Grove Center on Saturday, and it brought out many of Kauai’s well-known – and some not so well-known – chili chefs.
Overall winners were Gaylord’s, who won in the Professional Overall category and Kevin’s Crazy Chili, which won the Best Overall Amateur division. (Full results will be announced in an upcoming issue of the Garden Island.)
Besides the warming pots of bubbling brew that kept those at the mall well-fed and satisfied, the entertainment added another kind of spice to the occasion. Musicians and dancers included: Three Scoops of Rice, Swamp Daddy, Country Line Dancers, The Billy Paul Band and Hijos de Borinquen.
A visitor from the mainland, Madhu Guarasi, won the title of 2nd annual Miss Chili Pepper Kauai 2003. Guarasi, who just happened to be on her honeymoon, will take the trophy back home with her to New Jersey. First runner-up was Liz Javelosa who works at Macy’s, and honorable mention went to Kim Sarita of Duke’s.
Chili-makers from around the island were invited to bring on their special chili concoctions. Among the contest participating were: Aroma’s, Aussie Tim’s, Blossoming Lotus Caf, Duke’s Canoe Club, Gaylord’s, Kauai Bakery, Kauai Community College, Keoki’s Paradise, Mark’s Place, Princeville Resort, Radisson Kauai Beach Resort and Wrangler’s.
The event is a fundraiser for the Kauai Chapter of the American Culinary Federation with money raised providing scholarships for local high school and college students majoring in the culinary arts.
