SANTA CRUZ — About 50 cooks competed in the annual Chili Cook-Off Saturday at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Scores of people showed for the event where they could sample the various entries.
“This is my second year at the event,” said Bob Kane of Atwater. “I’m actually competing against my wife this year; it makes it kind of different.”
LEO’s Haven, an inclusive playground planned for Chanticleer Park in Santa Cruz, was the beneficiary of the event, receiving $4,000 from proceeds.
The winners this year are:
Best Professional (Con Carne)
1. East Side Eatery, Derek Rupp (Santa Cruz)
2. Bad S BBQ at QBB Mountain View (Mountain View)
3. Something to Taste, Lauren Linkemyer (Aptos)
Best Amateur (Con Carne)
1. Simbulan’s Outrageous Smokin’ Hot Mess, Travis Simbulan (Felton)
2. Ruskin, Robert Skinner (Los Gatos)
3. Warrior Roaster’s Espresso Chili, Andy Van Nostrand (Reno)
Best Professional – Vegetarian
1. Midgley’s Public House, Michael Midgley (Stockton)
2. Landeros, Jose Landeros (Soquel)
3. East Side Eatery, Derek Rupp (Santa Cruz)
Best Amateur – Vegetarian
1. Dragonmama’s Politically Incorrect Chili, Michele Hartmangruber (Fremont)
2. Trick or Treat, Joyce Nelson ( Milpitas)
3. Wine with Swine, Mark Brown (San Jose)
