Photo By Sgt. Tracy Knowles | Team XXX Chili, from left to right, Spc. Steve Pleske of Hale, Mich., Spc. Pete Bice...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Wetness on the tips of eyelashes, the strong aroma of chili peppers, music, laughter and heat. Lots and lots of heat.
These were just a few ingredients added to craft the 225th Engineer Brigade's Engineer Call Chili Cook-Off, here, Sept. 26.
Every month brings a new theme to the social gathering for the engineers of Multi-National Division-Baghdad, and this month's theme was a tailgate party and chili competition.
The chili cook-off was a near epic battle between seven teams, representing Louisiana, Tennessee, Massachusetts and Michigan, that included members from sergeants major with over 100 years of cooking experience to three specialists with over 1000 minutes of cooking experience.
Capt. Steven Belford, of Pineville, La., explained that the International Chili Society, sponsors of this month's theme, all started with Lt. Col. Vincent Tallo, of 225th Eng. Bde., from Ball, La.
The International Chili Society, who wanted to sponsor a chili cook-off for troops in Iraq, contacted his wife, a member of a nonprofit organization called "Soldiers Angels." Both groups partnered together and worked with folks from around the country, to include California, Washington, D.C., and Texas.
Each team received a box of supplies from the International Chili Society. The supplies included aprons, decorations, recipes and hints for making each team's chili the best that it could be.
Participants were asked to vote for their favorite chili based on color, aroma, consistency, taste, and after taste. The 1st Cavalry Division's band's "Tuff Box and the Baghdad Horns" provided the day's acoustical after burn.
The surprise upset of the night went to Team XXX Chili, from Michigan, winner of the chili cook-off. Spc. Steven Plesko, of Hale, Mich., Spc. Pete Bice, of Big Rapids, Mich., and Spc. Steve Rich, from Mancelona, Mich, all part of the 1434th Engineer Company, said their secret to winning had more to do with ingredients outside of the pot.
"We have the voice, looks, and brains. What more do we need?" Rich explained.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2009 04:34 |
| Story ID: | 39406 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 296 |
| Downloads: | 230 |
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