Fun times at Fair's Chili Cook-off

[August 05, 2014]  LINCOLN - The Logan County Fair is often about food, fun, friends, and family and the annual chili cook-off has a bit of each.

This year’s cook-off had 10 teams that included several veteran teams and a few first timers. A lot of light bantering and teasing occurs between teams and more than one team noted that the last year’s champion Ritterbush team is the one to beat. Merlin and Lacey Horath even called themselves “Team Bushwhacker.”

Contestant Geri Mollohan with her “Momma’s Cowgirl Chili” comes back year after year to have fun and says it has become a family tradition at fair time.

Family tradition plays a role in Mike Patterson’s chili as he uses a recipe handed down from his father that he has been making for 25 years. Patterson came back because he had a great time last year and met a lot of great people.

First time contestants Jim and Sandy Bobell say that they have always wanted to be in the cook-off and are now able to do it since their kids have grown up and no longer show pigs.

Duane Petty and Doug Ritterbush definitely have cooked up award winning recipes. Their “Dandy BBQ” banner shows that Petty and Ritterbush are five time people’s choice champions and four time cook-off champions.

The recipes ranged from sweet to hot to spicy, though Jennifer Luckhart of Nuthatch Hill BBQ says their chili is nice and mild because they do not want to knock the kid’s socks off.

Dave Eyrse says his Sugar Creek Chili has a little bit of a kick to it.

Many people enjoyed sampling the various chilis.

After ten judges sampling all the chilis, the results were finally announced. Doug Demay said it was the closest contest ever. Dave Eyrse was the 2014 champion.

For champion Eyrse, it was his first time receiving first place. New contestants, Team Miller Lite’s Jim and Sandy Bobell, received second place. While last year’s champion, Doug Ritterbush, received third place. Merlin and Lacey Horath of Team Bushwhacker tied for fourth place with Rick Boward and his Deer Camp Chili.

The Horath's also received best presentation, and the people’s Choice Award went to Frank Adubato and Josh Slightom.

Though not all received awards, all of the teams had a great time, which most contestants say is the reason they come back year after year.

[By ANGELA REINERS]