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| Chip Guillot with his winning chili before the judging. |
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
Stephanie Blasenak, describing her favorite at Midway’s chili cook-off, said chili made by Carrie Scott “had a really good flavor to it; it was a hometown, like home-cooking taste.”
This was a distinction many had to make Saturday afternoon at the cook-off presented by the Midway Business Association. The annual cook-off is meant to draw people to downtown to shop and dine. While it wasn’t crowded, there was a consistent flow of attendees. Many of the chili tables ran out before day’s end.
Scott said it was her first time entering the cook-off and she decided to use a family recipe: “It’s a recipe our mom fed us and I make it for all my sons and they seem to like it pretty well.” Scott had been to the cook-off in years’ past and decided this year that she wanted “to get in on the fun.”
Many contestants said they entered because they like competition and the charity that the cook-off donated to, the Midway Area Ministerial Association.
Attendees paid $5 each to enter the cook-off and were able to sample the 20 chilis, varying from mild to spicy, and vote for their favorites from noon to 3 p.m.
Blasenak, who lives in Midway, described the event as “a really great opportunity to see and socialize with very friendly people.” She said many people come back year after year to try their chili recipes for the coveted trophy.
A little before 3:30, the winners were announced. First place went to Chip Guillot, manager of Southern Equine Farm. “I have one more place for a trophy, on my trophy shelf for cooking,” he said. “I have one spot so I need to go ahead and fill that up.”
Guillot said he has a history of winning cook-offs in Louisiana, California, New York, Florida, and Kentucky, and is known for his gumbo. He won a $50 cash prize that donated it back to the ministerial association.
Second place was won by Phil Burchell. His chili recipe earned first place in Midway Christian Church's competition in 2016.
In third place was last year’s winner, Debra Shockley with her Mexican-inspired chili. Asked about her history of success in chili making, she said it’s “more luck than anything.”
This year’s cook-off was helped by volunteers from Midway Renaissance, who staffed City Hall so there were public restrooms available for the contestants and attendees.
Cortney Neikirk, co-owner of Sweet Tooth, said “Anything we do brings new people to town. I believe that it just tells people that we’re here and we do fun things.”
Stephanie Blasenak, describing her favorite at Midway’s chili cook-off, said chili made by Carrie Scott “had a really good flavor to it; it was a hometown, like home-cooking taste.”
This was a distinction many had to make Saturday afternoon at the cook-off presented by the Midway Business Association. The annual cook-off is meant to draw people to downtown to shop and dine. While it wasn’t crowded, there was a consistent flow of attendees. Many of the chili tables ran out before day’s end.
Scott said it was her first time entering the cook-off and she decided to use a family recipe: “It’s a recipe our mom fed us and I make it for all my sons and they seem to like it pretty well.” Scott had been to the cook-off in years’ past and decided this year that she wanted “to get in on the fun.”
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| Debra Shockley's chili won third place in the cookoff. |
Attendees paid $5 each to enter the cook-off and were able to sample the 20 chilis, varying from mild to spicy, and vote for their favorites from noon to 3 p.m.
Blasenak, who lives in Midway, described the event as “a really great opportunity to see and socialize with very friendly people.” She said many people come back year after year to try their chili recipes for the coveted trophy.
A little before 3:30, the winners were announced. First place went to Chip Guillot, manager of Southern Equine Farm. “I have one more place for a trophy, on my trophy shelf for cooking,” he said. “I have one spot so I need to go ahead and fill that up.”
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| The Rev. Mary Seeger Weese, in turkey hat, had her chili stand in front of the Thoroughbred Theater. |
Guillot said he has a history of winning cook-offs in Louisiana, California, New York, Florida, and Kentucky, and is known for his gumbo. He won a $50 cash prize that donated it back to the ministerial association.
Second place was won by Phil Burchell. His chili recipe earned first place in Midway Christian Church's competition in 2016.
In third place was last year’s winner, Debra Shockley with her Mexican-inspired chili. Asked about her history of success in chili making, she said it’s “more luck than anything.”
This year’s cook-off was helped by volunteers from Midway Renaissance, who staffed City Hall so there were public restrooms available for the contestants and attendees.
Cortney Neikirk, co-owner of Sweet Tooth, said “Anything we do brings new people to town. I believe that it just tells people that we’re here and we do fun things.”
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| Shockley, Guillot and second-place Phil Burchell pose with MBA's Steve Morgan, wearing Guillot's medal. |
FYI - Steve Morgan is wearing a second place medal from the February 2018 Midway Christian Church Chili Cook-Off.
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