BY SEAN McCOY, Daily News Staff
Published: August 23, 2010
Betsy’s Bar’s 2010 Spice Odyssey won best showmanship for a large entry.
ST. THOMAS — Some went for the food, a traditional spicy red stew and cold-weather favorite to be sucked up in shot-glass sized portions. Others attended for the music — blues, reggae and country wafted over the white sand beach.
But everybody at the 26th annual Texas Society of the Virgin Islands Chili Cook-Off on Sunday was swept up in the revelry that is bound to take place when 5,000 people converge on a small tropical beach in the heart of summer.
Yet with all those people, the chili pepper still reigned supreme at the cook-off as 51 chefs competed to create a blissful concoction to capture the hearts and warm the insides of a panel of judges.
After a full morning of cooking and an afternoon of doling out small cups of chili to throngs of hungry people, Jerry May of St. Thomas was named winner of the meat division of the cook-off. As winner, May has the opportunity to compete at the International Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas, in November.
May’s chili, called Fire In The Sky, impressed the judges with aroma, consistency, red color, taste and aftertaste.
He beat 44 other chefs in the meat division — including four visiting chefs from Texas — to get the win. Ray Calaban of Texas finished in second place.
Jes Latimer of St. Thomas won the vegetarian chili cook-off. Bordeaux farmer Ras Koniah and Dave Pemberton teamed up using local ingredients to bring in second in that division.
The space-age rocket ship booth of Betsy’s Bar 2010 Spice Odyssey won the large showmanship award. Pomeranz Pomerosa won the small showmanship award.
The smell of simmering chili wafted over the beach as women wearing bikinis and men blasting water guns mingled under the mid-day sun.
“This is a great community event. It’s got that backyard barbeque feel to it,” said Erik Ackerson, the Great Pepper of the Virgin Islands Pod of the Texas Society. “I like to say it’s a small beach party for 5,000 of your closest friends.”
While tasting the chili or buying a cold beverage at the event is not free, the proceeds all go to charitable causes.
Ackerson said that each year, the cook-off raises from $45,000 to $50,000. It is dispersed to the Queen Louise Home for the Aged, Dial-A-Ride, St. Thomas Rescue, the V.I. Institute for the Performing Arts and the Family Resource Center.
Results
Winners in the 26th Annual Texas Society of the Virgin Islands Chili Cook-Off
Meat chi
1 — Jerry May, St. Thomas
2 — Ray Calahan, Texas
3 — Nora Chapman, St. Thomas
4 — Gary Brignon, Texas
5 — Sophia Hume, St. Thomas
6 — Shirley Sexton, Texas
7 — Brad Werth, St. Thomas
8 — T.J. Friedel, Texas
9 — Karl Sittig, St. Thomas
10 — Heidi Erwig, St. Thomas
Vegetarian chili
1 — Jes Latimer, St. Thomas
2 — Ras Koniah and Dave Pemberton, St. Thomas
3 — Heidi Erwig, St. Thomas
Small showmanship
1 — Pomeranz Pomerosa
2 — Brockaway Currence
3 — Oral Roberts/Mojos
Large showmanship
1 — Betsy’s Bar
2 — Saloonatics
3 — Julia Gardner/Malone
Chili Cookoff Draws Big Crowd to Brewers Beach
By Molly Morris — August 22, 2010
Betsy's won the 'showmanshp' award at the cookoff -- again. No mad dogs, a few Englishmen and about 4,500 chili-besotted enthusiasts braved the noonday sun at Brewers Beach Sunday for the 26th annual Chili Cook-off of the Texas Society of the Virgin Islands.
This year's chili had an added, though bittersweet, piquancy as the day was dedicated to Nicky "Mighty Whitey" Russell whose music has been an integral ingredient to the celebration for more years than anyone can remember. The beloved entertainer died earlier this year.
For the 40 or so cooks who began setting up, the long hot day starts before 6 a.m. Nothing can be prepared ahead of time. The double-blind judging is done under the strict rules of the Chili Appreciation Society International.
Everyone agrees it's all worth it, the exhausted, happy cooks, the eager tasters. the folks dancing in the sand, those renewing old friendships, politicians galore, even including Gov. John deJongh Jr., who was enjoying a few bites of chili with his son, Julian, in between good-naturedly fending off questions that began, "Now, governor, 'what are you going to do about,' while incumbent senators – Louis Hill and Shawn-Michael Malone – hosted their own booths.
Headlining this year's music was Texas rocker Van Wilks, while the Coast Guard did a rescue demonstration and kiddies ran around with relay races, ball tosses, and stood still for a cupcake decorating contest.
One thing that does start ahead of time is the labor for the showmanship award. Trish Hardy, a Betsy's stalwart, says they started about six weeks ago. Betsy's has taken the award for the past five years and this year's 2010 Spice Oddessy, makes it six. About 30 space invaders dressed in what looked like bumble bee outfits, with snorkels poking out at odd intervals, drifted amongst the resident alien females donned in bubble wrap skirts, and aluminum foil boots, chanting, occasionally in unison, "Back to the ship. May the spice be with you."
Meantime, dentist Donald Pomerantz held court at the Pomerosa where he was dispensing veggie chili, with an added flourish. "This'll clean your teeth and floss at the same time."
One of the head peppers, Erik Ackerson, himself done up as a Spice sun, said he was delighted at this year's boat turnout. Ackerson is the voice of the marine community, executive director of the V.I.Charter Yacht League, and host of WVWI radio show "On the Water."
"I've been inviting people on St. John and the East End to come by boat," Ackerson said. "Looks like they've finally heard me."
A small flotilla of boats of different makes and sizes anchored off the East end of the beach, while the beach itself was filled with swimmers working off all that chili.
Second prize in the small booth showmanship category went to Second prize small showmanship Katie Brockway. The grand prize winner gets an all-expense-paid trip to to the Texas town of Terlingua -- roughly in the middle of nowhere in that state's western panhandle -- in November to duke it out in the Chili Appreciation Society International contest.
Proceeds from this year's cook-off will go toward Queen Louise Home for the Aged, V.I. Institute of Performing Arts, Family Resource Center, St. Thomas Search and Rescue and Dial-A-Ride.
This year's major sponsor is Coors Light, distributed by Bellows International; Merchant's Market, which donates ground beef to each cook; Island Beachcomber, Tickles Dockside Pub, Evian Water; Fortress Storage; First Bank; Choice; American Airlines and Lew Henley.
From Ruby Ross:
Good Morning!
I feel like I have been out of touch forever.
As you know I had knee replacement on June 8th. All went well & I am recovering nicely.
I developed chronic diarrhea and had it 8 weeks. I was given medication but it never seem to take care of it. It kept recurring. After losing 10 lbs, very weak & unable to do my regular duties, I went to see Gastro in San Antonio. After many blood samples, tests, tests & colonoscopy the doctor gave me a diagnosis of severe colon infection which was triggered by antibiotics during surgery. They killed the good bacteria. Yesterday the doctor said after 4 medications for 21 days I would be back to normal. All biopsies were ok. I was so excited you would have thought I had just won 1st in Chili. I am feeling good & back to my normal activities again. I did not even go to the computer for days.
Herb's alzheimer's is progressing daily. We are going to miss the GP meeting & his BD celebration. I'm not sure he would know what we were celebrating. It is best to keep him in his own environment at this time. He goes to 'fellowship' on Thurs am & this gives me the morning off.
I am going to find someone to come in another day of the week. I have decided Chili cooking is too difficult at this time. First of all I'm not sure he will remember why he is there & the heat is too much. I am sending this out to update everyone on what is going on in our world. I need to stay in touch & updated with our chili family and my Sisters. It makes me feel good to know you are all there if I need you. Since I am feeling better "Life is Good". Love to all & God Bless!
From CASI President, Renee Moore:
Recently, some of the CASI members have determined they no longer need to receive mailed copies of the Terlingua Trails; instead, they are reading them online.
It has been suggested that the membership should be polled to determine if they wish to continue receiving the postal delivered copies of the Terlingua Trails. Likewise, it has been suggested that a new membership card doesn't have to be provided each time CASI membership is renewed.
If you no longer wish to receive your Trails by mail, please let the Executive Director know at garjans@suddenlink.net. You will be advised in the blog when the current issue is available online for viewing.
Additionally, if you don't wish to receive a new membershp card each year, please let the Membership Director know it's not necessary to send you one.
Questionnaires will be available at the Great Peppers' Meeting and at TICC for those wishing to opt out of one or both of these programs.
Results from Red River CCO
Chili
1. Danny Williams, Amarillo, TX
2. Bobby Elliott, El Paso, TX
3. Alan Dean, Johnson City, TX
4. Chelita Riley, Johnson City, TX
5. Rocky Kimball, Highlands Ranch, CO
6. Butch Bingham, Amarillo, TX
7. Michele Ungvarsky, New Mexico
8. Tex Riley, Johnson City, TX
9. Karen Thomas, Alto, New Mexico
10. Susan Dean, Johnson City, TX
Show
1. Can Can Girls (Sharon Pinnell, Susan Dean, Chelita Riley)
New Mexico State Green Chili Championship
1. Neta Rohr
2. Mike Monte
NOTE: If you want something printed and placed in the Great Pepper's packet, please get it to me today or tomorrow!
Today is Wednesday and time to list the CCOs for this week.
Aug 27, 2010-001 - Stafford, TX CASI. Sweetheart Cookoff. Held at W Airport Blvd. Turn In Time 8:00 PM Entry Fee: $20.00 Make Checks payable to Houston Auxiliary 151. Contact Bert Hall, Home 713-433-2888 Cell 713-775- 8280 or Pat Moffett @ Lodge 832- 328-1151. Benefits Summer Camp for Handicap Children and Prosthesis Devices. Chili Grind Only. See cookoff next day. Swimming Pool available and Limited RV parking .
Aug 28, 2010-001 - Stafford, TX CASI. 19th Annual Auxiliary 151 CCO. Held at 10150 W Airport. Turn in Time 2:00 PM Entry Fee $20.00. Make checks payable to Houston Auxiliary 151. Contact Bert Hall home 713-433-2888, Cell 713-775- 8280 or Pat Moffett @ Lodge 832- 328-1151. Benefits Auxiliary Charities. Chili Grind Only Swimming Pool available. Limited RV parking. Beans 50/50 entry $10 turn-in 12:30 PM.
Aug 28, 2010-002 - Denton, TX CASI. 82nd Annual NTSF & Rodeo Cookoff. Held at 2217 N. Carroll Blvd. Charity-TBA. Entry Fee $20.00 Chili turn in 2:00 pm, Beans $5.00 turn in 12.00 pm. Entry fee includes ticket to rodeo, limited hook ups, $20.00, pot luck cooks party Friday night. Contact Vicki -940-391-6998 e-mail cowgirlattitudechili@hotmail.com Delora Goin-940-230-3238 e-mail deloragoin@hotmail.com Chili Grind Only.
Aug 28, 2010-003 - Crawford, TX CASI. CTC Cook-Off. Held at Tonka Park off Hwy 185 between Hwy 6 and City of Crawford Chili $18.00 turn in 2 pm. Chili Grind Only. Beans $10.00 50/50 pay back turn in 12 noon. RV parking ele $15.00 per night.Pot luck supper Sat night. Cook-off next day. randy duke 254-405-4333
Aug 28, 2010-004 - Oklahoma City, OK CASI. Tony Newcombs CCO & T-Shirt Party Party at 4711 N.Tulsa. Benefits Elks gen. fund. Turn in time: 7:00 pm. Entry fee $20.00. Make Checks payable to Tony Newcomb. Chili Grind Only. Contact Joe Spears 128 Amber Ridge, Shawnee Ok 74801 405-650-3354.
Aug 28, 2010-005 - Amarillo, TX CASI. Shriner Summer Chili & BBQ CCO. Held at 4th & Fillmore, Amarillo, TX. Benefits Shrine Hospitals. Entry information to follow. Contact Scott or Susan Campbell 806-358-3576 for more information
Aug 29, 2010-001 - Downers Grove, IL CASI. St. Marys 3rd CASI Cookoff. At 444 Wilson, Downers Grove, IL. Church 1-630-969-1063. Johns 1-630-963-0160, Johns cell 1-630- 687-5202. Beer tent,live, music, food stand,and more!!!!! Cooks meeting - 9:30 am. CASI turn in - 1:00 pm. Judging - 1:10. Entry fee - $18:00. Please bring extra chili for public. Cut or grind. j.gastaldello@comcast.net. Make checks payable to Chillini Pod.
Aug 29, 2010-002 - Crawford, TX CASI. CTC Pod Cookoff. Held at Tonka Park Hwy 185 between Hwy 6 and City of Crawford Chili $18.00 turn in 1 pm. Chili Grind Only. Randy Duke 254-405- 4333. See cookoff previous day.
