INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The night was anything by chilly at Riverside Park in Vero Beach as more than 10,000 people came out to sample hot, sweet and smoky chilis dished up by local businesses, restaurants, service groups, and governments.
For the third year in a row, Cultivating Eden Microbrewed Fertilizer took home the People’s Choice Award for Best Chili. Associated Home Solutions Realty won top People’s Choice Salsa.
Before the awards were handed out, Cultivating Eden’s Paul Short predicted his would be the crowd favorite.
“We’re going to make it three,” he said of the number of times receiving People’s Choice.
This is the third year his business has entered the competition, which serves as a fundraiser for various charities.
Short said he’d been coming to the event for years prior, sampling the chili with the rest of the crowd.
“Our chili’s better than this,” he said, recalling what he thought those years he didn’t compete.
Out to enjoy the evening were Lee and Brian LaPointe.
Lee said she came out “so I’m not at home cooking. I’m enjoying the efforts of someone else.”
The couple planned to sample at least 15 of the nearly 30 chilis being offered.
With six down, the LaPointes said their favorite so far was Riverside Café.
“It has a sophistication to it,” Lee said.
Brian said he liked that it was served with fresh cilantro.
“It’s very beautiful,” he said.
Another couple out to determine their favorites weren’t as united in their decision.
He was looking for a sweet chili – she something with more heat.
“It’s good stuff,” Mary Lahey said of the 10 chilis they had sampled only 40 minutes into the 4-hour events.
She said the second chili she sample had the best heat, but couldn’t recall the competitor.
Her husband, Pat, disagreed, saying the first one on the loop was better – it was sweeter.
The Laheys had been to the Chili Cook-off once before, when it was at Pointe West. Given a choice, Mary said she’d rather it be held at Riverside Park in Vero Beach.
“It’s a prettier setting,” she said of the park, adding that the circular layout helps to spread the people out and not feel as crowded as it was.
Organizer Lt. Dave Dangerfield said he’d prefer to keep the event at Riverside Park, as well.
“We absolutely love Pointe West,” he said, but Riverside “far exceeded” his expectations.
“It was phenomenal,” Dangerfield said.
It’ll be a few days before his crew can determine how much money was raised and divvy it up amongst the non-profit organizations that will benefit from the Chili Cook-off.
“I’m sure it’s lots of money,” he said.
Before the results of the 7-panel judging were announced, Vero Beach City Councilman Brian Heady expressed optimism that the city’s chili would take top honors in the government division.
“The city’s (chili) has been the best so far,” he said, calling it “Triple Play” chili. The chili consisted of Italian sausage, chicken and ground beef.
His son, Will, and granddaughter, Lucy, helped city officials craft the chili concoction, building off a family recipe.
Lucy said she wore a snorkel mask just to get through chopping up 20 onions.
“It was painful,” she said, quickly adding she’d help again – so long as she’s not chopping onions.
The city placed second in the government division.
The Salvation Army, which placed third in the service organization division, had a steady line of patrons seeking samples.
“We’re here to feed the masses,” said Salvation Army soldier Jeff Crespo. “It’s what we do.”
Crespo said the organization wanted to participate in the cook-off to not only compete but also to let people know the group is out there, ready to help.
Dangerfield took to the stage shortly before the end of the event to announce the winners of each of the five divisions.
“This one absolutely breaks my heart,” he said, leading into announcing the winner of the public safety division. “I wish I could lie about this one. We’ll beat them next year.”
First place went to Indian River Shores Public Safety.
“We’ll never hear the end of it,” Dangerfield said.
