Chili Cookoff is a hot time for both friends and food
Staff writer
Chili lovers came out in droves Saturday for Marion County Lake’s annual Chili Cookoff.
Thirteen competitors shared their wares with spectators who purchased $5 testing kits.
Rick Myers from Newton did not place in the awards, but his chili was the hottest, he said.
He said Rick’s Last Stop Hot Chili, was hot but not as hot as last year.
People tasting Myers’ chili instantly needed water or another beverage to quench the burn.
Myers has missed only a few of the Chili Cookoffs.
“It’s just my regular chili with a whole lot of peppers,” Myers said. “I like spicy chili.”
But the event was not really about the chili.
“It’s good for the lake,” he said. “Anything I can do for the lake I am all for it.”
Father and son team Levi Scott from Hutchinson and Larry Scott from Nickerson served “The Bandits Red Hot Chili.”
The team finished third in 2024 and tried to get a better finish this year.
Larry Scott said the event was something everyone enjoyed.
“I have a fifth-wheel camper, and this is the lake we normally come to,” he said. “We loved it last year.”
Clayton Garnica and Thad Looper won the people’s choice award last year in their second year of competing.
“We do have cooking jobs, and this is a fun event,” Garnica said.
Looper, from Marion, said it was nice to see people come out to support the lake.
Rusty Yarborough from McPherson and Dan Benewiat from Hutchinson competed for the first time as a duo Saturday.
“He’s done it before,” Yarborough said. “We wanted to have fun and have a good time.”
Benewiat owns a cabin at the lake. That made competing a lot easier.
Tena Lundgren and Elizabeth Hill had their own Grandma’s Chili for people to taste.
Hill called it her basic chili.
Friends Betty Bachman, Pam Lyle, and Irene Barkman created Three Amigos Chili.
Barkman, who lives in Marion, competed two previous times. She thought it would be more fun if her friends joined her this year.
All three have places around the lake.
Cindy Stayner from Marion visited the cookoff for the first time.
“I wanted to,” she said. “We are happy we are here.”
Kayleigh McMurrthy made the trip from Hutchinson because it sounded fun.
“It’s just for the community and environment,” she said, adding that her in-laws had a cabin at the lake.
Jim Ford with J Ford Chili took first place, ‘80s Hairstyle with Rock ‘N Roll Chili took second and Roger Perkins with Sweet and Spicy Chili finished third.
Perkins’ chili won people’s choice and competitor’s choice went to the Three Amigos.
The corn hole tournament drew 20 teams. Jason and Randy with “Team Shake and Bake” from Humbolt won.
A bake sale also was among Saturday’s events.