LaGRANGE —
In the freezing cold, tramping through the slushy streets of LaGrange, Feb. 2 were dozens of intrepid chili tasters. Groups of men in stocking caps leaned into the wind, hands deep inside their pockets. They trudged from café to store to café around downtown to have a taste of savory chili from 25 different local chili makers. It was FOCUS LaGrange’s second annual Super Bowl Chili Shuffle.
A groundhog even showed up to celebrate his famously cold shadow chase with a warm scoop of chili.
Four merchants opened their doors to accommodate the chili cookers in their annual competition to win the vote and a nice fat check for having the best chili in LaGrange.
“This year we had over 148 tasters and voters,” said Cheryl Albergo, chairman of the cook-off and owner of Chicago Joe’s restaurant. “It was much bigger than last year and everyone seems to be having a great time.”
Chicago Joe’s, Courtside, Our Place and Carney Decorating were the four host sites. There was a crowd at each location. One woman was feeding a spoonful of chili to her little girl. It must have been good because the child grabbed her hand and drew it back to her mouth.
“Really, this chili is so good and it is so cold outside, I’d love to get a big bowl to go and take it home to eat at my house,” said Elizabeth Bontrager as she offered another spoonful of chili to 16-month old Gaia, who responded with a big grin.
Mickey Mouse
“I got this recipe from Mickey Mouse,” Jayden Boyd announced as he posed in front of his huge poster advertising his chili and his favorite place, Disney World. “It is the personal recipe of Walt Disney. I read it in my ‘Chef Mickey’ cookbook. I love to cook. I am a freak for Florida — so I chose the Dolphins as theme team for my chili,” Jayden confessed as he passed out another sample cup to a taster.
“He cooks at home all the time,” said his proud mother Ann. “Last summer we had a teenage babysitter during the day and Jayden did all the cooking. He is a good cook.”
When asked about his favorite cuisine, he paused and smiled, “To be honest with you, I would have to say it is French cooking I like the best. This is my first year competing in the chili cook-off. It will not be my last.”
Jayden’s threats should not be taken lightly. He managed to come in second and won $150 in his first competition. Bob Brill came in third with his venison chili and said it was because his daughter Ashley insisted he enter. A former, professional caterer, Lori Fugate won $250 for first place with her white chili.
“My husband and I were tasters last year,” she said. “We had such a good time. I was thrilled to win this. It was a lot of fun. I was glad my husband talked me into it. My recipe is for chicken, but I used turkey and it worked!”
Lori’s winning White Bean Turkey Chili recipe:
1 lb. turkey breast, skinless, boneless, cut into 1/2 cubes
1 medium onion, diced
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
4 ounces diced green chilies
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup sour cream.
In a large saucepan sauté turkey, onion, and garlic powder in oil, until turkey is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and spices. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in whipping cream and sour cream.
Serve, garnished with shredded cheese, diced green onions and/or sour cream.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Only 10 years old and cooking with the big dogs, Jayden Boyd loves to cook. He took second place during the second annual Super Bowl Chili Shuffle hosted by FOCUS LaGrange Saturday in downtown LaGrange. DL Perrin
Tasters pick best chili in chilly LaGrange
- Local News
-
-
Jeep enters Depot building
A Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the main entrance of The Depot building, located at 1013 Division St., Goshen.
-
Reminisce days a big hit in Shipshewana
Diane Green and her aunt Lydia Moore drove from lower Illinois to Shipshewana Saturday morning to pick up quilting fabric.
-
Concert series to benefit ministry
It is summer and time for outdoor music. It is also the beginning of First Fridays — a concert series hosted by the local community ministry, Reason 4 Hope.
-
Planners like changes to CVS parking lot
Access to the CVS at 410 S. Main St. in Goshen could soon be easier for those with disabilities following a ruling by the Goshen Plan Commission Tuesday afternoon.
During their meeting Tuesday, Goshen Plan Commission members gave their blessing to a request by CVS Pharmacy and State Permits Inc. for a major change to the CVS Planned Unit Development that seeks to reconfigure the north portion of the parking lot to increase the overall Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility of the site. The final site plan for the PUD was also approved by the commission Tuesday, and the request will now be forwarded on to the Goshen City Council with a favorable recommendation. -
Council won’t fund school sidewalks
GOSHEN — Goshen City Council members voted along party lines Tuesday to defeat a proposal by Goshen Community Schools for a 50-50 cost split between the city and the school corporation to pay for a $125,000 sidewalk expansion project.
-
'Experience Michiana' segments to be taped in Goshen
The crew with WNIT program “Experience Michiana” is set to tape segments in Goshen this week. The segments will be broadcast June 27 and 28.
-
State officials warn people to be alert at fairs, festivals
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state police are reminding state residents to be alert for safety concerns when attending county fairs and other local festivals.
-
SLIDESHOW: Pets of the Week
Featured pets available for adoption at the Humane Society of Elkhart County.
-
Goshen officials donate former Hawks Building to LaCasa
An agreement between Goshen city government and LaCasa Inc. allowing for the donation of the former Hawks Building to the local non-profit was approved Monday.
-
LIBRARY NEWS: Reading programs underway
Summer reading programs for young people are underway at the Goshen library.
- More Local News Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
