ʻUlupalakua Ranch Hosts State Chili Cook-off

Chili Cook-off. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The inaugural Hawaiʻi State Chili Championship Cook-off takes place this Sunday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the ʻUlupalakua Ranch Store.

Visitors and residents are invited to vote for the chili of their choice, with tasting kits featuring five tastes, available for $5. Tasting kits will be available beginning at 1 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit future farmers and ranchers in the Maui 4-H Livestock Association.

In addition to event prizes, the top three entrants will also be invited to compete at the Terlingua International Chili Championship in Texas on Nov. 2, 2013, a ranch announcement said.

Photo, Christine Vestgals, 2008 CASI California State Champion, bringing CASI to Hawaiʻi. Credit: Vestfal photo gallery.

Other contest day festivities include live music on the ʻUlupalakua Ranch Store lānai, and food prepared by Executive Chef Will Munder from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cook-off is identified as a Chili Appreciation Society International event, hosted by the ʻUlupalakua Ranch Store and Shaka Pops.

“Hawaiʻi residents love their chili, and it would be great to see a Hawaiʻi cook on the podium in Terlingua,” said Christine Vestfals, a past winner of the CASI California State Championship, in a press release.

The non-profit CASI cook-offs promote chili appreciation, and are said to have raised more than $1 million annually for local charities and its scholarship fund, the announcement said.