It was a heated, but good-natured battle as chili challengers competed for People's Choice Awards and the VIP Judge's Award at the 14th annual Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off, Salsa and Beer Tasting held on Saturday, May 7 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.
Liberty Independent Living took home the Grand Champion award. Judges' Awards for best chili went to Tree Huggin' Hippie Chili, best individual; Whole Foods, best restaurant; Rocky's Fire (Petaluma Poultry), best business; Liberty Independent Living, best service organization; and Tree Huggin' Hippie Chili, best vegetarian chili.
The Judges' Award for best salsa went to Tree Huggin' Hippie Salsa, and the award for best fruit salsa went to Sonoma Salsa.
The People's Choice Awards winners were Pineapple Express, best meat chili; Rotaract Club, best vegetarian chili; Godspeed Novato (Novato Fire Department), best salsa; and Taps, best beer.
Other award presented included: Krazy Kelts, most spirited team; Santa Rosa Fire Department, best chili display; McNears, best salsa display; Savannah Salsa, best costumes; RIP City Riders, best booth.
The Fireman's Ax award was won by the Novato Fire Department.
Proceeds from the cook-off benefit Cinnabar Theater's youth programs.
- Argus-Courier Staff
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