The heavens may have opened last Saturday, Oct. 7, in Ludlow, but even the downpour didn’t seem to faze the over 400 people who braved the weather so they could enjoy the many different varieties of chili available at the Ludlow Rotary Club’s 32nd annual chilicook-off.
Judges, town managers and Select Board leaders made certain that everyone had a chance to vote (including themselves) which resulted in honoring the following chili makers:
People’s Choice:
1. Bird’s Nest by Shelley Steinfeld
2. Smokey T’s Lone Star by Todd Patane
3. Saylor Family by Chris Saylor
Honorable mention – Castle Hill Harvest – The Castle Inn
Judge’s Winners:
Best in Show: Smokey T’s Lone Star Chili by Todd Patane
Team Spirit: Local Yokel by Engel & Volker Real Estate
Spiciest: Reactor No 4 by Jarod A. P. Harlow
Kevin Barnes, cook-off chairperson, said “We’re all very grateful to those hardy folks who braved the rain so that they could enjoy the great chilis prepared for this special event.” Barnes added that he and the Rotary Club would do their best to ensure a dry 33rd annual Chili-Off in 2024.
The annual chili cook-off is one of the major fund-raising events for the club so that it can continue to provide funding and assistance to area groups and the community.
