Tastes great, more filling

April 26, 2006

By DANE GOLDEN
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Your taste buds have had to wait a year, but it's back.

The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off, Salsa and Beer Tasting will take place this Sunday, April 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. The event is in its ninth year and will have 40 challengers competing for the favor of both judges and attendees for best chili, salsa and beer.

The fund-raiser supports Cinn-abar Theater's youth programs.

Attendees and judges will be asked to vote for the best entries in various chili, salsa and beer categories from local restaurants, businesses, service organizations and individuals. There are also awards for vegetarian chili, as well as costume, booth and spirit awards.

Dick Kapash leads the judging for the fourth consecutive year.

"I can't get enough of those fine chili dishes, the recipes are always a refreshing surprise," he said. "And the chili, salsa and beer keep getting better each year."

Other judges include Mayor David Glass, Councilmember Pamela Torliatt, "Grill Power" author Holly Rudin-Braschi, and radio personalities and executives Stephen Valentino, Jon Snyder, Scott Less and Ben "Tiny" Hawk.

The Santa Rosa firefighters will be on hand to defend their overall title from last year.

Some well-named individual entries this year are Shin Bone Alley, Sweet Peas Spitfires, We Love Pork, and the Tree Huggin' Hippie Chili team, a participant since the event's inception.

Sixteen different breweries will be sampling their beers, including last year's People's Choice winner Lagunitas. Also present will be Ruth McGowans, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and Fox Barrel, among others.

This year's cook-off has already raised more than $26,000, a pre-event record, thanks to a $10,000 matching grant from Rhode Island-based discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot. More than 60 businesses and individual contributors have already donated from $25 to $2,000 to total the figure, which should climb significantly after the gate receipts from more than a thousand attendees are tallied.

"I expect it to be the best year ever," said Chili Empress Laura Sunday.

The chili cook-off helps raise funds for scholarships for Cinnabar Theater's youth programs, which since 1985 has provided a year-round program of classes, workshops, performance opportunities, summer camps and festivals for young people.

Entertainment this year will include singers, dancers, and comedians, as well as chair massage and face painting.

Admission is $18 for chili and salsa, and $30 (plus ID) if you want to do some beer tasting, too. To purchase advance tickets, call the Cinnabar Theater box office at 763-8920 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Contact Dane Golden at dgolden@arguscourier.com)

GREAT PETALUMA CHILI COOK-OFF, SALSA AND BEER TASTING

When: Sunday, April 30, 1-5 p.m.

Where: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma (East Washington and Payran Streets)

Admission: $18 for chili and salsa, $30 for chili, salsa, and beer tasting (plus ID). Rain or shine.

Benefits: Cinnabar Theater youth programs

Phone: 763-8920

Web: www.greatchilicookoff.com