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This year's Chili Cook-off was a little different than usual. In an effort to help a long time friend and former
MATT-er, Phil Henry, the MATT Chili Cook-off was used as a fundraiser for the Phil's Fight Fund.
Normally entry is free and each person is able to vote only once. This year, there was a $10 entrance fee
and voting cost one dollar...however, you could vote as many times and for as many chilis as you liked.
MATT was able to raise $650...all of it going to the Phil's Fight Fund.

Due to change in this year's rules, the winner will receive a plaque instead of the usual pull-over.

The Tasting and the Voting
Apparently Mr. Rainer didn't like this chili	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 carefully judging the chili's winning qualities
	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 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!

Runners Up

Second Place: Chris Stroud This is Chris' second year to place as number two with a total 153 votes. We can only attribute this loss by 11 votes to Staci not emptying the nearest ATM. Next year, Chris ....next year....	Third Place: Team Gardner Marc Gardner and Sandy Czarnecki tied for third place with a total of 45 votes each. I know Marc came by his honestly. However, in an attempt to stay out of last place I gladly worked on the sympathy votes, then purchased enough of my own votes to keep me from finishing last. It worked. I never claimed to be proud.