To the editor:
Saturday was sunny and warm but the chili was piping hot at the 15th annual Hyla Chili Cook-Off. Red, green, white, firey, smokey, fruity — local restaurants went toe-to-toe with a wide variety of delicious offerings.
Once again, it was a tight contest for discerning tastebuds. After much deliberation, the panel of esteemed judges gave this year’s award for best chili to the Agate Pass Cafe in Suquamish, with Doc’s Marina Grill coming in a close second.
Initially, the vote was locked in a tie — three votes for the Agate Pass Cafe’s chili and three for Doc’s Marina Grill — split along gender lines.
The seventh judge appeared (in the nick of time) and after some thought, cast his vote (along with the other men) for Agate Pass’s chili. So Agate Pass took the day by one vote. Their chili was made with chorizo and four different chilis. Doc’s chili was made with elk — seems the women preferred elk(!)
The popular vote this year went to Mor Mor Bistro and Bar in Poulsbo. Their chef used pork shoulder and four different chilis.
Thank you to the chili chefs from the Agate Pass Cafe (Suquamish), Cafe Nola, Casa Rojas, Doc’s Marina Grill, Harbour Public House and Marina (The Pub), Mor Mor Bistro and Bar (Poulsbo), The Salmon Canyon Cafe, The San Carlos Restaurant, and to the Blackbird Bakery for great cornbread.
Also, special thanks to the judges: Libby Anderson (KRL), Ellen Carleson (Island Cooperative Preschool), Mack Howard (Islandwood Chef), Vern Nakata (Town & Country), Ronnie Potter (Islandwood Chef), David Ward (city council) and Betsey Wittick (Laughing Crow Farm).
When the restaurants’ chili ran out, a second round of chilis were offered by island families — seven hot variations on the theme and two cold, chili flavored ice cream — yum!
And lastly (but not least) thank you the inventive seventh grade for all the great games you devised and to the many musicians who set the tone and the tune for the afternoon.
If you are wondering about Hyla, don’t wait until the next Chili Cook-Off — come by and see what we are doing in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
THE FAMILIES OF HYLA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Bucklin Hill Road
