Untitled Document

Tom Shaughnessy, 2006 winner of the Chili Cook-off!
October 28, 2006 - Minnesota Tailgate

The Champs
2006	-	Tom Shaughnessy
2005	-	Marc Gardner **
2004	-	Chris Stroud
2003	-	Jim Hornback
2002	-	Dave Jackson (DJ) *
2001	-	Marc Gardner +
2000	-	Wendy Thrall *
1999	-	Marc Gardner *
1998	-	Dave Jackson (DJ)
1997	-	Marc Gardner
1996	-	Chris Rayo
1995	-	Wendy Thrall
1994	-	Sparky
1993	-	Mary Knapp
1992	-	Tim Tootle
1991	-	Steve B.
1990	-	Jim Thompson

The Tasting and the Voting

I don't know which chili Doug just
tried but I am betting it didn't win.

Voting at the Tree is high tech!
A computer is used to assign values to 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd place votes to determine the winner.

Complaints of long lines, having to show ID, and fixed results were ignored. And there will be NO recounts.

The Winning Chili...

Tom says this about what made his winning chili something special:

"What a shocker, I finally had a good recipe!
Here is a brief description of the unusual stuff:
1lb steak dry rubbed with chili seasonings, grilled to medium rare.
Jalepenos and Habeneros were slow roasted on the grill,
stemmed and made into sauce.
Most other ingredients were sauted
and hit with a lime to bring out the flavor.
Yummy!"

Other Chilis Worth Mentioning (aka..2nd, 3rd and last place)

Second Place: Chris Stroud

This 2004 Chili Champ took his second
place title with grace and finesse...
then he threw his hat on the ground.
Seriously, Chris is happy for Tom's first time win...he's just mostly happy
that his neice, Erin Taylor, didn't win.

Third Place: Carrie Brown

First time entrant, Carrie, sister of
long time MATT member,Ted McCord,
should be proud of her 3rd place victory.
(I'm sure it helped that half the
Brown/McCord clan was present?)
All joking aside, great showing for a newbie!
Maybe this is her trial run for a win next year?

Last Place: Adam

Adam, proud owner of the 2003
MATT Shirt of Encouragement,
will get to add a second one ...filled
with loving advice from previous
Chili Champs... to his collection.
One of these years will be your winning year, Adam!

The Chili Cook-Off Tradition The Chili Cook-off has been a long-standing tradition at The Tree. Typically taking place on the second to last home tailgate of the season, it has dated back almost 13 years! In that time, the various types of chili's entered have reached beyond the typical chili mode... from blazing hot to pleasantly mild, chock full of meat to nothing but beans, and a few very creative and questionable entries, to say the least!
	Judging has been another varied experience, from randomly choosing passers-by to having a pre-selected "guest" judge. The latest judging method has been popular vote, all who try the chilis vote for their 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choices. But the winning chilis have never been the same. The victory and the most sought after prize, being named the CHILI CHAMP of the year - can belong to anyone!
So...you think your* chili is the best, huh?* And your chili is like no other? Your secret ingredients push your chili over the edge? Then be prepared to step up the The Grill, Bucko! ...and may the best chili win!

The Tasting and the Voting
I don't know which chili Doug just tried but I am betting it didn't win.	It takes all kinds when it comes to chili. Everyone under the Tree takes a taste of this year's entries. Some are winners, some are losers...and some are just unidentifiable.	Teddy prepares for another bite
	Voting at the Tree is high tech! A computer is used to assign values to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place votes to determine the winner.
Complaints of long lines, having to show ID, and fixed results were ignored. And there will be NO recounts.

Other Chilis Worth Mentioning (aka..2nd, 3rd and last place)

Second Place: Chris Stroud This 2004 Chili Champ took his second place title with grace and finesse... then he threw his hat on the ground. Seriously, Chris is happy for Tom's first time win...he's just mostly happy that his neice, Erin Taylor, didn't win.	Third Place: Carrie Brown First time entrant, Carrie, sister of long time MATT member,Ted McCord, should be proud of her 3rd place victory. (I'm sure it helped that half the Brown/McCord clan was present?) All joking aside, great showing for a newbie! Maybe this is her trial run for a win next year?	Last Place: Adam Adam, proud owner of the 2003 MATT Shirt of Encouragement, will get to add a second one ...filled with loving advice from previous Chili Champs... to his collection. One of these years will be your winning year, Adam!