14th Annual North Conway Chili Cookoff and 5K Results

A HOT TIME WAS HAD AT THE 2017 CHILI COOKOFF AND FEELIN’ GOOD 5K

North Conway, NH – For those attending the 14th Annual Chili Cookoff in North Conway on April 8, 2017, it was one of the hottest days of the year. Approximately 600 foodies and 75 runners joined 30 chefs on a beautiful day to kick off the spring season in Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire with the 14th Annual Chili Cookoff and Feelin Good 5K. The North Conway Community Center and Gibson Center for Senior Services served as host venues for the professional and home chefs, and there was plenty of chili and cornbread to keep everyone fueled for a day of fun, festivity and the White Mountain Milers 5K Race. In addition, North Conway Village retailers, restaurants and businesses also offered up some sweet treats and special deals, serving as Red Hot Stops route with many of the shops offering discounts and tastings.
The professional chef chili entries were judged by members from the American Culinary Federation White Mountain Chapter, headed by Bryant Alden, Chef from the Wildcat Tavern in Jackson. Awards were given for Best Chili with first, second and third places acknowledged. Professional and non-professional chefs were also awarded People’s Choice Award for Best Chili too, selected by all tasters who attend the tour.

Here is a list of the winners from the 14th Annual Chili Cookoff:

PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:
Best Chili 1st Place – Gibson Center, Chef Rachel Fournier
Best Chili 2nd Place – Runway Restaurant, Chef Jennifer Gamble
Best Chili 3rd Place – AMC, Chef Mary Ann Vitella

People’s Choice Best Chili – Memorial Hospital, Chef Glenn White
People’s Choice Best Cornbread – McGrath’s Tavern, Chef Seammus McGrath
People’s Choice Best Table Presentation – The Local Grocer

NON-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:
People’s Choice Best Vegetarian Chili – MWV Eaters and Growers, Chef MWV Career & Technical Center, Mineral Springs Cafe, Chef Mark Tapper

People’s Choice Best Chili 1st Place – Steve’s Flaming Hot Chili, Chef Steve Celani
People’s Choice Best Chili 2nd Place – White Mountain Dental, Chefs Harry and Rachel Gulati
People’s Choice Best Chili – Conway Area Lions Club, Chef Linda Rafferty
People’s Choice Best Cornbread – M&D Playhouse, Chef Dean DeMaster
People’s Choice Best Table Presentation – Making Strides sponsored by Stonehurst Manor

The Feelin’ Good 5K by the White Mountain Milers had a great turnout for their first year, with nearly 75 runners competing. Preliminary results show that Darin Brown was the first male finisher with a time of 19:04 and Terry Ballou was the first female finisher with a time of 20.05. Results are posted on the White Mountain Milers Facebook Page.

After the chili competition the fun continued at Abenaki Trail Restaurant and Pub for the Chili Cookoff Awards Ceremony and the music by the Riley Parkhurst Project.

The 14th Annual Chili Cookoff in North Conway was sponsored by the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Feelin’ Good 5K was sponsored by the White Mountain Milers, in partnership with the chamber for this event. Click here for photos of the festivities on the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Flickr online photo gallery.

To learn more about Mt Washington Valley, NH’s foodie and spring events, visit www.Mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 1-800-367-3364. To learn more about spring trips to New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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