Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Chili Cook-Off this past Saturday February 22nd featured crowds in excess of 900 enjoying gallons of chili, along with a variety of other food and drink and some excellent music. There were lots of positives and a few negatives that will be addressed for next year.
I know some people are wondering who won the contests. It was a fun competition and we again thank our panel of judges who decided the “Professional” vote (Paul Mayer, Vallarta Food Tours; Patrick Robertson, Accomplished Ex. Chef: New York, Chicago, LA and Opening Ex. Chef Blanca Blue, Garza Blanca, PV; and AJ Freeman Lead Lifestyle Scout WeLovePV.com); as well as all of the attendees who chose the winner of the “Popular” Vote. And the Winners were:
Professional Judges Vote:
1st Place – Captain Don’s #13
2nd Place – Nacho Daddy #25
3rd Place – Tunnel Road BBQ #4
Popular Vote:
1st Place – Nacho Daddy #25 with 132 votes
2nd Place – Blake’s Sports Bar #21 with 83 votes
3rd Place – Captain Don’s #13 with 70 votes
All the Chili Sponsors did a great job! A special nod to first-time participants Blake’s Sports Bar and Tunnel Road BBQ, who both finished in the top 3.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the 2020 Cook-Off a huge success. Look for a complete review in the next edition of The Chili Digest. (You can subscribe at PVChiliCookoff.com.)
Proceeds of $230,000 pesos, as reported by Jim Sullivan (Event Chairman), will be used during 2020 for the various projects by the Jay Sadler Project of which 45 were completed during 2019. Current projects planned include the following:
• Senior Centers in Las Palmas, Bellos Recuerdos, Las Juntas & Edad de Ore, Mojoneras
• Los Patos Park in Las Juntas, playground equipment
• Jardín de Niños Ramón Corona, Kindergarten in Las Juntas, painting and building repairs
• Jardín de Niños 15 de Mayo, Kindergarten in La Primavara
• Basketball court repairs in Lo de Marcos prior to the annual basketball clinic
And here’s a heads up: Murphy’s Irish Pub on the Malecón will be holding their annual Pre-St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage festivities on Wednesday, March 11th. There will be 2 seatings: 12:00 to 3:00 pm and 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Dave Whitty from St. John’s will be performing traditional pub classics. The annual Celtfest Vallarta will be held Saturday, March 14th from 2:00 pm to 1:30 am. And, of course, Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17th. More details next week.
A registered Charitable Organization operating in the Puerto Vallarta area, the Jay Sadler Project provides many maintenance support services such as painting, construction and electrical to needy organizations and playgrounds. The Project also operates fundraising projects for various Banderas Bay area charities throughout the year. For more information visit jaysadlerproject.com.