Saturday’s chili cookoff was definitely chilly

Chilly was the theme of the day at Snug Harbor's 19th annual chili cookoff on Saturday. Despite unseasonably cold temperatures and spitting rain, several hundred enthusiasts sipped chili samples and downed cold ones in tents and indoors. Don May of Byron Center was one of 26 cooks and teams who heated up the afternoon with his chili concoction. May, who has been competing in the Snug Harbor event for 15 years, recently took second place in a similar Fennville contest.

Marie Havenga

Grand Haven

Apr 18, 2011

“My recipe changes every year,” May said through the steam of a bubbling pot of chili. “I couldn’t write down the recipe if I tried. We go with taste. Does it need this or does it need that? I keep chucking it in.”

2011 Chili Cookoff winners:
First place: Roger Rau, Bartender’s Special
Second place: Ralph Kendall, Dragon Spit Chili
Third place: Bob Wandel, Adventure Club Chili
Booth Showmanship: Eric Fri, Charlie’s Angels
People’s Choice: Jeff Brown. Boogie Barbecue

To read more of this story, see today's print edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.