CHILI CONTEST BLASTS OFF IN SIMI VALLEY.Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - To be delicate about it, the name of the first-prize winner at the Elks Lodge Chili Cookoff A “chili cookoff'” is a social event, similar to a barbecue, in which competitors prepare their own particular recipe for chili con carne and submit it for taste testing. on Sunday might be considered inappropriate in a family newspaper. Let's say it refers to a dragon's derriere. But before Dragon Ass Chili won the $250 prize, its chef said the best part about the event is the fact that most of the money goes to charity. A ceremonial kick-off for the coming Simi Valley Days, Sept. 9-24, the cookoff raised about $15,000 for various children's charities, said event chairman Alan Horvatich. But it was clearly about the chili at the Elks Lodge. ``I think it's the spices, the blends of spices that are the key to great chili,'' said Debi Drake of Simi Valley, creator of Dragon Ass Chili. ``Plus, you've got to stay sober. Otherwise you don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what you've got.'' While Drake said she probably cooked up about 15 gallons for the Sunday event, other chili makers - B.S. Buns Burner Chili and Route 66 - added dozens more gallons to the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . There were eight entrants in all, and 30 craft booths selling trinkets and housewares house·wares pl.n. Cooking utensils, dishes, and other small articles used in a household, especially in the kitchen. . Children got their hair and faces painted while others took their best shot at the water dunking tank. Simi Valley resident Rick Adams Rick Adams may refer to:
``I'm a member of the Elks Lodge, and I'm happy that the money goes to charity,'' he said. ``I've really only cooked chili for my friends for football games.'' The secret to great-tasting chili? ``That's easy. The secret to good chili is keeping it a secret,'' Adams said with a wink. Eight-year-old Ian Benisti bragged that he tried 20 cups of chili, though his mother guessed it was closer to nine. ``I like the ones without beans,'' he said, bragging that he doesn't anticipate a stomach ache. But he admitted that his stint on the moon bounce a little earlier might be the biggest contributor if he feels a little too full later. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Bryan Gath, 5, accepts Lorraine Franklin's challenge to a game Sunday at the Elks Lodge Chili Cookoff, left. At right, a plethora of hot peppers in each pot tests diners' gastronomic gas·tro·nom·ic also gas·tro·nom·i·cal adj. Of or relating to gastronomy. gas  tro·nom mettle. (3 -- color) RaquelJohnson has her husband, Eric, sample some chili at the Elks Lodge Chili Cookoff fund-raiser in Simi Valley. Lilly Barrett/Special to the Daily News |
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