By Rachel Spacek
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Chili cooks await the results of the competition. -
Judges gather around the table to taste each entry. -
Guests sit down with their chili and listen to music. -
Judges enjoy the chili. -
Judges take a blind taste test to choose the best chili. -
A bowl of chili awaits a taste. -
Judges dig their spoons in. -
Chili should have just the right amount of spice and salt. -
Big John Konvicka is a veteran taste tester. -
Another bowl of chili awaits a taste.
With the waft of peppers, onion, tomato and cumin in the air, chili lovers, judges, cooks and volunteers began the 2015 High Sierra Regional Chili Cookoff on Saturday in Carson City with plenty of sizzle. The cookoff and tasting goes until 5 p.m. Saturday and will continue Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. at Glen Eagles Restaurant.
Hosted by Honor Flight Nevada, cooks submit red chili, chile verde, and salsa for judging with the winners of each category entering to qualify for the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff. Tasting, activities, live music, cold beer and daily action begins at 11 a.m. Glen Eagles is located at 3700 N Carson St, Carson City. Chili tasting kits are only $3 each.
The craft fair features many varied and unique creations from creative artists and vendors from around the region. Honor Flight Nevada is a nonprofit charity that takes WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans back to Washington, D.C. to see the Memorials built in their honor and paid for by their service to our country.
Nevada Honor Flight does this at no cost to the veterans. Last month, Honor Flight took its first group of Vietnam veterans to Washington, D.C.
While the proceeds of all of the cookoff activities benefit Honor Flight, organizers want to raise enough from the cookoff itself to send a designated ICS veteran on the next trip and need to raise $1,000 to sponsor that veteran, notes co-organizer Bob Grayson.
The Saturday cook off is known as the High Sierra Regional Chili Cookoff. Sunday’s event is known as the Nevada Capital Region Chili Cookoff. Both are judged events. Glen Eagles is located at 3700 N Carson St, Carson City.
