Emerald Downs, which plays host to the 37th annual Washington State Chili Cook off on Saturday, August 16, will have top tier talent judging this year’s event.
“We are pleased to welcome Austin and Cheryl Miller to head up our judging team this year,” said Cynthia Stearns, Washington State Chili Cookoff Producer.
Austin Miller will serve as Head Judge while Cheryl Miller is the Scorekeeper.
Their task is maintaining anonymity and qualifying competitors to the International Chili Society World Championship in Las Vegas October 24-26, 2014.
Returning for a second year as Cookoff Wrangler is Jamie “Chili Dog” Beletz of Bainbridge Island. As Wrangler, Beletz coordinates between the Head Judge and Scorekeeper, and maintains the judging area, sets up for each category competition and assists as needed to throughout the judging and scoring process.
“This is the biggest event to hit the state of Washington since we adopted “Louie, Louie” as our state rock song in the 1970’s,” Beletz said of the 2014 event at Emerald Downs.
Rounding out the panel is Greg Frederick, who serves as Health Department Liaison for the event.
In addition, guest judges are being selected to judge in Chili Red, Chili Verde and Salsa categories. Chili tasting kits (five for $5) will be available the day of the cookoff, a percentage of the proceeds earmarked to charity.
Austin Miller became a barbecue judge in 1987 and only missed one year of judging in the past 25 years. Cheryl Miller has judged American Royal Open Barbecue Competition for years, and the couple was invited to judge the Invitational this past year. They are both certified with KCBS, judging barbecue and chili events in Washington State, Utah, Missouri and Nevada.
The Washington State Chili Cookoff will be held in conjunction with live Thoroughbred racing.
“We are pleased to have Emerald Downs as our host site this year,” Stearns added. “It’s a unique locale for our state and easily accessible. Plus, we have the exciting atmosphere of Thoroughbred racing and a wonderful venue to make this a terrific reason to enjoy both.”
The International Chili Society officially sanctions the Washington State Chili Cookoff, with winners advancing to the World Championship in October. The ICS is the world’s largest food festival.
Additionally, gift vendors will be onsite with the chili competitors. They include: Ila’s Foods, Touchstone Crystal Jewelry, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One Gifts, Scentsy, It Works! and more. Avalon Glasswork of West Seattle has designed the second annual signed, numbered glass blown chili pepper.
For more information, please contact: Cynthia Stearns, Washington State Chili Cookoff Event Producer (360) 589-7751. Email:washingtonstatechilicookoff@gmail.com.
