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Ludlow Rotary's Chili-Off Major Success with All The 34st Annual Chili Cook-Off this past Holiday weekend was a major success. The weather was perfect, hundreds of "taste testers" were treated to a large variety of chilis, and the many chili providers were happy with the reception of their unique brands of "real" chili. Additionally, the Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) gained resources to continue providing assistance to local projects. "We had over 20 chilis to taste and be judged by well over 700 eager customers," commented Kevin Barnes, LRC President. "There was everything from Thai chili, venison, vegetarian, and even white bean and chicken to sample. At times, the line to get into the chili tent circled around the block and down Main Street". Barnes noted that "every kind of chili you can imagine was offered at the cookoff from very hot, veggie, and everything in between. It truly was a chili-lovers festival!" Kathy Burns, one the chili providers noted "It was so fun to participate. Thanks for the push in all the years I added this great fun filled event to my check list. Very nicely done!" Some of the winners of the tasters voting were no strangers to winning at the cook-off", Barnes noted. As a result of the voting by the many "taste testers", the recipients of the People's Choice awards were: 1st. Chili Con Carlos - Carlos Inglesias 2nd. Birds Nest - Shelli Steinfeld 3rd. Contractor Approved - Contractors for Christ Honorable mention. Saylor Family Chili - Chris Saylor The Judges for the following awards were three area educational leaders: they include Ema Vastola - Cavendish Elementary principal, Lisa Marks - Ludlow 4th Grade, and Zoe Trimboli – Green Mountain Paraprofessional/After School Program, decided the following winners in these categories: Best in Show. Thai Curry - Stemwinder Team Spirit. Singleton's Best - Singleton's Store Spiciest. Saylor Family Chili - Chris Saylor Barnes expressed the club's thanks to the many businesses and folks who made the cook-off possible. They were: Cayenne level: William Raveis Vermont Properties, Mary W. Davis Realtor and Associates, Master Plumbing and Heating, Servpro-Ryder Restorations, Cota and Cota Plumbing and Heating, Green Mountain Fireside, Main and Mountain, Jeff Milligan Builders, Wright Constuction, Belmont Septic, High Country Contractors Chili Pepper: Ted Stryhas Builders, Black River Mechanical, HB Plumbing and Heating, Burns and Associates, Sue Star-Adams, Diamond Point Wealth Partners, James Young Attorney at Law, Jalapeno level: Wine and Cheese Depot, Gassetts Group Builders, In Kind: Benson's Chevrolet, Shaws Supermarket, Wilcox Dairy, Ralph Pace, Okemo Mountain Resort, The Castel Inn, DJ's Restaurant, Frank Ellison, The Hatchery The proceeds from the cook-off will be used by the LRC to continue its programs of aiding local groups and schools. Pictured below are four of the Chili providers at the Ludlow Rotary Club's 34th Annual Chili-Cookoff. Over 20 different chilis were offered to over 700 taste testers under a warm Autumn sun.
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