Cookin’ up some fun
Annual chili cook-off benefits YMCABy Patrick Cooley, pcooley@mariettatimes.com
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And the winners are...
Desserts:
Best Presentation: Todd Myers.
First Place: Todd Myers.
Second Place: Nadine Kasick.
Third Place: Pat Singer.
Chili, Restaurants:
Hot: Brighter Day - Eric Lookey.
White: Brighter Day - Eric Lookey.
Vegetarian: Brighter Day - Eric Lookey.
Traditional: The Galley - Lyson Whestter.
Chili, Individual:
Hot: Janet Smith.
White: Deb Shockey.
Vegetarian: Kelly Harris.
Traditional: Todd Myers.
The Marietta Family YMCA was filled almost to the brim on Saturday night, where there were desserts, the pool was open for children, and various items were auctioned off in a live auction and a silent auction. But the highlight was without question the chili.
The YMCA gymnasium had tables on all four sides covered with chili of all kinds.
Many different businesses and individuals from all over the Marietta area entered their creations into a contest. The categories were traditional chili, hot chili, white chili and vegetarian chili. Desserts were also judged.
Todd Myers, 39, of Marietta, won best dessert, best presentation of a dessert for his sorento lemon white chocolate cheesecake, as well as second place in traditional chili, and best overall chili.
"I had a lot of help from my family," he said. "They kept tasting it, and we kept adding things to it."
It was quite an accomplishment for Myers, considering he had never enter any of the food he's cooked into a competition.
"Makes me think I need to switch careers," he said.
The money from the auctions and the entry fee for the evening will go toward buying a new floor for the gymnasium.
Jim Kattell, owner of Ci Ci's Pizza in Marietta and Vienna, W.Va., was one of the judges for the desserts.
"It's pure sweetness," he said. "It was fun, (the cooks) are getting really serious with their presentation, they put a lot into it.
"Some of it defied description," he said.
Brighter Day Restaurant and Natural Foods, in Marietta, won first place in hot chili, vegetarian chili and white chili and second place in traditional.
"We have a secret recipe developed by our wonderful kitchen staff," owner Don Murray said.
Brighter Day has entered four of the last five years, but Murry said they've never done this well.
"This is very unique," he said. "We're very happy with it.
"This is a great community event," he said. "Al Miller (Marietta Family YMCA executive director) and his staff really do a wonderful job. Folks from all different walks of life come to raise money for a good cause."
Vincenzo Mele of Marietta said he could not find any chili he didn't like.
"It was a nice pallet of flavors to choose from," he said. "I've probably tried 60 percent of it."
Jessica Smith of Marietta said there was a much wider selection this year.
"Last year they only had chili on two walls," she said. "I think they had twice as much."
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Johanna
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11-11-08 8:26 PM
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I still see your post. Cool to see a Dr. find the time to cook and enjoy it! Maybe the price of malpractice, etc... is tough on him!! Who knows but I saw...Congrats. to the winners!
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opinion8ed
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11-10-08 10:17 PM
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he's a doctor..geez someone deleted my post.
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tingette
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11-10-08 8:44 PM
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Maybe he makes pizza.
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Johanna
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11-10-08 7:42 PM
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Don't know Todd Myers or what his day job is but it looks as though he did pretty well!!! Maybe you should have tried it and kept your opinion to yourself! Congrats to all of the winners! What a nice turn out!!! Basketball Prac. starts tomorrow!!! Love the Y!!!
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opinion8ed
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11-10-08 11:26 AM
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i don't know but i think todd myers probably wouldn't want to change careers. although i never tasted his dessert or chili, i'm thinking he probably makes more during his day job.
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