Californians take two of three events at CC chili cook-off

The International Chili Society's Northern Nevada Regional Chili Cook-off took place Saturday at the Copper Pointe Plaza in Carson City, with the red chili competition drawing the most entrants as 23 cooks competed for the chance to advance to the finals of the world championships.

First place winner was Eileen Beaty of Fillmore, Calif. She will now be eligible to cook in those finals that take place in Reno from Sept. 28 to 30.

Second place went to Reno's Herb Holman, who with his wife, Geneva, also won the "Best Booth" competition. Third place was won by Ron Judson of Red Bluff, Calif.

In the green chili (Chili Verde) competition, nine cooks entered and the winner was Voni Medcraft of Reno. Louise Beaver of Mammoth Lakes was second and Reno's Doug Barron was third. The winner advances to the finals of the world green chili competition.

Eight were entered in the salsa competition and the winner, Leann Niemon, a former world champion in salsa, now will also compete at the world. Niemon is from Sacramento.

"The cook-off was a great success," said Carson City's Bob Grayson, the cook-off chairman. "We're working with Red's Old 395 Grill and the Carson Nugget for next year's cook-off. We plan to make that a two-cook-off event with back-to-back world qualifiers and it will be held in Carson City again."

Scorekeepers for the cookoff were Patty drum and Julie Grayson of Carson City, Margo Knudson of Sacramento and chief scorekeeper was Wendy White Weaver of Loyalton, Calif.