Sheiss, Slusher & Saldivar win Chili Cookoff
(Talk of the Town photo by Tony Romano) Winners of the Fire & Ice Festival’s Chili Cookoff were, from left, Kelley Sheiss, with her son Dillon, Dorothy Slusher and AJ Saldivar.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The people have spoken.
And for the second consecutive year, the people of Whitley County have selected Etna Troy township resident Kelley Sheiss as the People’s Choice winner of the Whitley County Council on Aging’s Chili Cookoff Sunday afternoon.
As a perfect balance to the trophy she took home in last year’s contest, Sheiss took home a second trophy yesterday – adding to her growing reputation as Whitley County’s cook. Sheiss was also a member of the The Center’s Cookoff winning team last spring.
The first place award went to Dorothy Slusher, the Parkview Whitley Hospital food service department employee who won their intra-organizational cookoff for the opportunity to represent the hospital at the event on Sunday. Slusher took home the $100 prize award. Slusher is a Pierceton resident.
The “Most Unusual” award went to Whitko High School student AJ Saldivar. Tasters indicated his recipe was quite delicious with a sweet, spicy flavor. Saldivar took home a $50 prize.
Overall, this year’s chili cookoff event was well-attended and included more participants than last year’s event with 14 entries.
According to The Woodlands Senior Center director Jackie Hake, 247 people came through to sample cookoff entries this year. “There may have even been a few more,” she added. An estimated 200 people attended the event last year on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn. “We had a really good turnout,” she said.
“It was so nice to be indoors because it was such a cold day,” Hake said, mentioning that last year’s event was held outdoors in a tent. Despite heaters in the tent, it was still chilly and created difficulty for participants to move easily to each station.
This year’s cookoff was held inside The Center, creating a unique partnership between seniors and the community’s youths. Hake said a donation from the event will be given to The Center. “It’s the young people giving to the seniors and the seniors giving back to the young people,” Hake said.
Hake said plans are already in place to present the event again next year. “It is absolutely a good community project and a good fundraiser,” Hake said.
“Thank you to everyone who was involved this year and we look forward to seeing you next year,” Hake added.
Click the link below for Kelley Sheiss’ winning People’s Choice recipe:
Bahama Mama Chili
By Kelley Sheiss
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1-2 pounds slow-cooked pork butt (shoulder), shredded
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. garlic
½ cup non-alcoholic margarita mix
½ cup lemon-lime soda
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 small jar salsa (mild to medium)
Notes:
To add some more “spice”, add several dashes of Tabasco or a hotter salsa. Can also add red pepper to taste.
If pineapple salsa is available, it can be used in place of crushed pineapple and salsa.
For a “juicier” chili, add one can of tomato sauce and or do not drain pineapple
To Make:
Slow cook pork shoulder at least one day before; cool and shred.
Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Mix in brown sugar. Combine beef, shredded pork and all other ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low at least 6-8 hours. Serve with lime tortilla chips or soft tortillas.