Doug DeMay Memorial Chili Cook-off an annual eating and competing favorite

[August 11, 2021]   The Annual Doug DeMay Memorial Chili Cook-off was the place for hungry fairgoers on Saturday. Competitors from around the county gave everyone an opportunity to sample their chili.

The annual event is held at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion the final weekend of the Logan County Fair. You can find almost any type of chili to fit your taste, whether you like chili mild, hot, spicy, sweet, garlicy, meaty, with or without beans.

The event’s founder was a bigger than life personality. Doug DeMay died suddenly in 2017 and is still missed today. Long time participant Doug Ritterbush took the helm and since that time the event has been named in memory of DeMay.

This year’s cook-off had just six teams.

For many who enter, the cook-off is part of fair tradition. The same can be said of many who sample the chili.

To give their chili a unique flavor, many contestants use a variety of meats, beans, seasonings and spices.

Jim and Sandy Bobell returned for the seventh time having placed as high as second previously. Tomatoes, onions and peppers are part of their chili.

Dave Eyrse is another returning competitor having participated for 10 years. His tried-and-true recipe includes spicy Italian sausage and sirloin.

Gary Rademaker returned for the fourth time with new teammate Sal Pollice. Rademaker said they were making a traditional chili and keeping it neutral for the judges.

Brett and Janna Conrady returned to defend their title from 2018. Theirs is another traditional chili that is not sweet or spicy.

Lisa Conrady was in the cook-off one other time and said her chili is a combination of both sweet and spicy.

James and Hannah Meece entered the competition for the first time. They said their chili is spicy with a unique blend of ingredients like chorizo, Carne Asada, homegrown Jalapenos, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and coffee.

Those sampling the chili said it was absolutely delicious.

One person liked the honey a contestant added to make it sweet.

Many said all the chilis were good.

Once the chili was done cooking, judges sampled each chili and pondered what scores to give them.

The top three winners received plaques and the top team will have its name on a plaque that will be placed in the fair office. The top three also receive cash prizes - $100 for third place, $150 for second place and $200 for third place.
 

Additional awards were given for People’s Choice and Best Presentation.

Winners of the chili cook-off included:

Best presentation: Lisa Conrady.

First Place and People’s Choice: Brett and Janna Conrady.

Second Place: Jim and Sandy Bobell.

Third Place: Dave Eyrse.

This year, the money raised for the People’s Choice award was donated back to the Fair Foundation.

[Angela Reiners]