header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Patti Handy and Rhona Jukes serve up Fred’s Famous Chili. Photos by Michele E. Buttelman

It was perfect weather for eating chili. So said many of the attendees at the 6th Annual Santa Clarita Valley Charity Chili Cook-off.

Despite a steady downpour and gray and gloomy skies, the event, held Tuesday at Wolf Creek Brewery in Valencia, attracted a large crowd to sample the offerings of 44 chili chefs.

Past events have attracted “more than 1,000 guests,” said event founder Nicole Stinson of Estate Realty Group.

“We’re not crazy about the weather, but it still looks like we have a good turnout,” she said.

Event co-chair Amanda Benson of Ask Amanda said she was pleased to see the crowd.

“I can’t believe the turnout,” she said. “I’m so impressed and thrilled that so many people can out to support the event. I’m surprised. It is incredible.”

The event has become so popular with chili enthusiasts that many would-be cooks had to be turned away, said Benson.

“We have the most chili cookers we’ve ever had,” she said.

Sonja Randall hoists the first place Judges Choice trophy. (From left): Events chairs Nicole Stinson and Amanda Benson, Jennifer Gerard of Gerard Cosmetics/Whitening Lighting, event presenting sponsor.

The SCV Charity Chili Cook-off benefits a different SCV nonprofit each year. This year’s beneficiary was the William S. Hart School District’s Wish Education Foundation, which is raising money to update the libraries within the school district. The Wish Foundation has a goal of raising $100,000 to improve school libraries with new technology and new print media.

“This year we chose the Wish Foundation because they serve all the middle and high schools,” said Benson. “We felt that they could spread the money around to all the schools. They really need the money, too. Their libraries have not had any state funding since 2008.”

Amy Daniels, executive director of the foundation, said she appreciated the community support demonstrated at the cook-off.

“It was a remarkable event despite the weather,” she said. “The entire community came out to have a great time and support a great cause.”

Guests could sample chili with mild, medium or hot spices and with meat that included venison, beef, chicken or pork.

Scott Ervin of Speakeasy Bakery entices people to try his Vegan-a-Chili with our Animal friends.

One chili chef offered up a vegan alternative.

“Two of my kids are vegan, so I learned to cook vegan,” said Scott Ervin of Speakeasy Bakery, who enticed guests to try his all-vegan chili made with a meat substitute.

“I love the Wish Foundation, and this a fun event,” he said. “This is my second year at the event. I came last year and won. This is the same chili recipe, except I didn’t use beef this year.”

Jill Cox of Jill’s Cake Creations was a first-time chili cook-off attendee. Cox, in a wedding gown and Jeff Globerman, wearing a tuxedo, manned the SCV Wedding Professionals booth.

“We just wanted to have fun and help the Wish Foundation,” she said.

Cox said the weather was perfect for chili tasting.

Judges (from left): Lori Fetrick, Mackenzie Patten, Cameron Smyth

“What more could you want when it is raining except chili?” she said.

Jeff Scott, sporting a crown and playing off the currently popular “Dilly, Dilly” ad campaign, said his “Chili… Dilly, Dilly” mile chili was made with “beef, Italian sausage, lots of love and a little spice.”

The cook-off judges were Santa Clarita City Councilman Cameron Smyth, American Gladiator Lori Fetrick and MasterChef Junior contestant Mackenzie Patten of Newhall.

“I tend to like hotter chili, but I want to taste the ingredients, too, not just the heat,” said Smyth.

He joked that the “free food” attracted him to the event – but on a serious note, he said the Wish Foundation is an important organization to support.

“Next year I’ll have two children in the Hart District,” he said. “In addition, I’m a graduate of the Hart District, and my father was a superintendent of the Hart District. When it is something to benefit the schools and the district, it is hard for me not to participate.”

The youngest judge, Patten, said she enjoyed the different tastes of the various chilis.

Table décor included a bottle of antacids.

American Gladiator Fetrick said she is not a “chili connoisseur.”

“But I do enjoy chili,” she said.

This is the third year that Wolf Creek Brewery has hosted the cook-off. Owners Rob and Laina McFerren said they enjoy supporting the event.

“We are so excited that we had such a good turnout for the event, despite the weather,” Laina McFerren said. “We are so happy that Wolf Creek can be a venue to support so many community events.”

Greg and Chell Amsler of Salt Creek Grille served the restaurant’s signature bruschetta and shrimp and lobster bisque soup to VIP guests.

“We’ve been a part of the chili cook-off since the first event,” Greg Amsler said. “The Wish Foundation is a great cause.”

After sampling the numerous chilis, which came with fanciful names such as “Dragon’s Breath,” “Keller’s Killer Chili,” “Atomic Bombing Chili” and “Ring of Fire,” guests were able to vote for the People’s Choice.

Chell and Greg Amsler, of Salt Creek Grille serve up bruschetta and shrimp and lobster bisque to VIP guests at the Sixth Annual SCV Charity Chili Cook-off. Salt Creek Grille has been sponsor of the event since the beginning.

Channi Kaur, with her Mango Habanero Chicken Masala chili, was named the People’s Choice winner for the second consecutive year.

Second place was captured by Kimberly Egan with her “It’s Just Chili.”

The third-place vote went to Mark Kagaoan’s “Imperial Pumpkin Chili.”

The judges selected Sonja Randall of Smokin’ Bar-B-Quties Catering as the winner of the first-place trophy with her Sonja’s Sweet and Savory Chili.

“I can’t believe I won. I’m shocked,” she said.

Randall said the secret ingredient to her chili is “love.”

“There are also seven kinds of beans and lots of spices,” she said.

The second-place winner was Steve Hyland with Steve’s Tex-Mex Chili.

Third place went to James O’Rourke and his SOF’s Top Secret Champion Chili.

The “best decorated booth” award went to Ariel Mathews of Perfect Day, Perfect Look, which offered guests Perfect Day Perfect Chili, a venison chili, and a chance to play “bra pong.”

For more information about the Wish Foundation and the effort to update the Hart District’s school libraries, visit www.wishscv.org and click on Help Our Libraries.

 

Channi Kaur (holding trophy) and her children are all smiles after winning first place in the People’s Choice vote at the Sixth Annual SCV Charity Chili Cook-off. (Back row, left to right) Steve Portaro, Amanda Benson and Nicole Stinson.

A steady rain keeps the crowds under the tents.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

NONPROFIT HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
SCVNews.com