The winners, L to R: Sandy Jennings, Amelia Miller, Diane Bressler, Teresa Cook, and Parker Reese
The second Championship of the County, Chili Cook-off with Beef proved once again to be a huge success with 17 entries arriving to be judged at the AGmazing Agri-Center on October 13 at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. This year’s Grand Champion Chili was exhibited by Amelia Miller of Sugar Grove. Entitled Smokin’ Chili Soup, it featured hamburger from her family’s home raised grass fed beef.
The Reserve Grand Champion Chili was Cowboy Chili, exhibited by Diane Bressler of Lancaster. Bressler’s winning recipe featured ground chuck. Sandy Jennings, Teresa Cook and 7 year old Parker Reese round out the top 5 placings.
As a standing room only crowd looks on, Braden Moore passes out the next round of chili samples to the judges
Cambell Parrish of the Ohio Beef Council visits with the crowd about the flexibility in using various cuts of beef in chili and other recipes
The judges included Ohio Beef Council board member and local veterinarian Steve DeBruin, OSU Research Professor Francis Fluharty, Ohio FFA State Sentinel Johnathon Cottingim, and Fairfield County’s own connoisseur of fine Fair food, Rick Crutcher. Also on hand was Cambell Parrish, Director of Public Relations & Consumer Marketing for the Ohio Beef Council. Throughout the competition judging, Parrish offered commentary on the different cuts of beef that were included in each recipe, and answered questions regarding the use and adaptability of various beef cuts. Local WLRY radio host Mike O’Riley served as the master of ceremonies for the standing room crowd that attended the event.
Special thanks go to the Ohio Beef Council and Bay Food Market and Bay Packing for their support of this second Championship of the County, Chili Cook-off with Beef. Later this winter all this year’s Chili with Beef recipes will be included when the second edition of the Fairfield County Cattleman’s Association Chili with Beef Cookbook will be published and made available to the public. In the meantime, here’s the recipe for Amelia Miller’s Grand Champion chili:
Smokin’ Chili Soup
1 pound of hamburger
1 medium onion
1/3 cup of flour
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 quart of tomato juice
1 pint of stewed tomatoes
1.5 cups of potatoes, cubed
1 – 15 ounce can of cannelli beans
2 tablespoons of Chulula (chipotle flavored)
2 teasoons of salt
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
Brown the hamburger and onions in a medium saucepan. Sprinkle the flour and brown sugar on the hamburger and stir well. Add all the tomatoes, potatoes, beans and Cholula. Then add the seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes.