The first annual Las Jaibas chile cook off.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Well yesterday was the big chile cook-off  day and it was the hottest and most humid since we arrived in Mazatlan. 

We started moving tables and setting up in the morning and there was some concern by the men that there would not be enough power to run all the crockpots and electric burners for the cook off.  After a few extension cords were run in many different directions it was figured out and we crossed our fingers that nothing would blow.  The cruise director " Connie" was in a tizzy but it will all work out.  Connie has worked really hard on this so she wants it all to turn out well.  I'm sure it will.

When the tables were set up it was quite a sight.  Many people had gone to a lot of work to really make their tables individual and interesting.  I didn't bring any "stuff" with me so I settled for a glass of pretty yellow flowers. 

Las Jaibas chile contest.

The crowd tasting chile (me in the middle)

People arrived and started tasting at about 1pm and there seemed to be enough without too many tasters.  I can't imagine how you would taste 12 chiles and pick only one.  There was lots of friendly rivalry and we were amazed to see that some of the guys on the other side from us were giving out ......

The winner! " Tequilla anyone?"

This is Nate who is a stand-in for John who cooked the chile but is sick.

"FREE SHOTS OF TEQUILLA"  and someone else was giving out "FREE BEER TO CLEANSE YOUR PALATE."  Is that bribery or what!  Sandi, Marilyn and I along with Helene decided next year we would serve sangria and see if that helped us win. 

The local Mazatlan paper " The Noroeste " showed up and took pictures to put in the Mazatlan paper.  When today's edition came out I found these shots of us on line.  We're stars!!!

Helene's spicy vegetarian chile.   Hot, hot, hot but good!

               Jack on the right winner on the left (I Wii bowl at Pat and Jack's)

I was amazed that some people testing could tell what was in my chile.  One lady noticed the bacon and another the cumin.  Over all I got positive reviews.  Did I win, no.  Guess who did.  The guy giving out free shots of Tequilla!   Second place to the guy giving out free beer!  Eric says these guys are "pros" and have done this before! To be fair first place was an all meat (pork) chile that was very different and Eric said the second place one was also different and very good (Eric didn't accept the bribery beer and he voted for me - I think!)

Kathy makes the Noroeste paper.  Wow!

Note the 4H apron.

The lady tasting is the one from Fernie who has been camping in a tent for 3 months and she looks no worse for wear.

Lots of the tasters were well prepared with their own chairs and coolers full of beer.  It was a real party atmosphere and everyone had a great time.  It was really a lot of fun and it has been decided it will be an annual event and when the donation jar was emptied we had  4350 pesos (about 400 dollars) to give to another local orphanage.  Sandi had crocheted dish scrubbies and Marilyn had knitted cotton dishcloths that they sold and then donated the money as well.  Nice generous ladies. 

A good time was had by all.