Andrews – To cap off a week of below-freezing temperatures and a predicted daytime high of only 20 degrees, there was indeed plenty of Fire in the Valley at Andrews Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620’s sixth annual chili cook-off, which was held Saturday at The Blue Stage downtown.
While in past years the nonprofit veterans’ group held the competition at both the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center and Andrews Community Center, this year rang in the new with a change of surroundings. Owners David and Suzie Howell and manager Daniel Ferreira each spoke about how proud they were to
host the organization this year.
“We’re happy to partner with the community to provide what we can, when we can, and we’re already looking forward to next year if they’ll have us,” David Howell said.
Reiterations of what a “great turnout” it was were a barely maintained din among the crowd.
 |
“We all had a bit of cabin fever by the end of the week, and this space is large enough to make everyone comfortable,” Ferreira said.
The crowd was serenaded by the musical stylings of local guitar man Bill Vespasian, in his third turn of entertaining contest crowds. With 11 contestants, the majority first-timers, this year’s festival was welcomed by almost 200 attendees despite the frigid temps.
Held annually as a fundraiser for the local VFW post, the event generates monies used for donations to local charities as well as helping local veterans and families in need along with providing a means for maintenance and improvements to the local post facility.
This year saw both first- and second-place winners along with a People’s Choice Award. The volunteer judges were Chef Steven Lash of Sage in Andrews, County Commissioner Jan Griggs and Andrews Mayor James Reid. The laser-cut trophies were provided by Lakeside Laser Lab of Hayesville.
First-place winner Let Er Ripp Again – otherwise known as Paulette Smithmeyer, with her bright red and yellow chili pepper earrings – took home the coveted trophy using her 82-year-old mother’s secret recipe.
“After cooking and catering in restaurants and bars for 25 years, and after my second time here, her special, secret recipe has won,” Smithmeyer said. “I know what’s in it and she won’t let me tell anyone else, but she’ll be glad it’s the winner.”
That maternal secret channeled a perfectly melded mélange of smoky, chili flavors, eliciting a classic homemade taste. A “Just Right” bowl of goodness, to quote Goldilocks, along with her made on-site tortilla strips, guaranteed the win.
Her chili was also a crowd favorite last year with mostly word-of-mouth buzz spreading through about how everyone had to try that “Rippin” chili. Smithmeyer, who works extensively in catering for local military clubs and organizations, was thrilled to win this year and plans on entering again next year.
Taking second place with her first-ever entry was Spicy Sisters Chili, better known as Theresa Creasman, who after attending last year said she, her friends and family “enjoyed it so much, we decided to enter our chilis this year.”
As for their entry, she said, “We decided to go with a more savory or sweeter flavor, not too much heat to turn anyone off. We wanted everyone to enjoy it.”
Sporting her “Spicy AF” T-shirt, about which she was repeatedly asked as to the abbreviation’s meaning, Creasman happily recognized all the ladies who helped her to enter the contest.
“There’s my two sisters, my mom, my niece and my friend and co-worker Kayla. They all helped decorate and get ready for this event, and I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “We’re all just here to have fun, but it was wonderful to win second place on our first try.”
That “we” included friend and co-worker Kayla Headley, who also entered as “Game Day Chili” right next to Spicy Sisters set-up.
Headley’s primary Crock-Pot sported the emblematic A for Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team, which elicited more tears than heat from her delicious entry. Unlike deep-seated Southeastern Conference rivalries, both these cohort “sisters” said it was nothing but a friendly competition in every way.
The People’s Choice Winner was “Great Balls of Fire” with LeeAnn Weaver, husband Brad and son Hunter, a fourth-time entrant and 2022 winner.
Weaver said she has been perfecting her chili recipe for the last eight years, even though she’s only been able to compete for half that time.
“That special ingredient which is no secret is love, because when I add it, it’s weightless,” she said, wearing her victory apron from 2022. “I wasn’t able to be in last year because of personal reasons, but I knew I’d be back this year.”
Love may be weightless, but Weaver’s chili had a perfected combination of resurgent heat, which evened out to several pleasant notes of warmth on a cold day.
Among the other first-timers in the competition were new-to-Andrews business owners Curt and Leslie Steinlage with their Fire Roasted Vegetable & Beef Chili. The couple is planning on opening a new coffee bar on Main Street in the spring.
On that first-time roster as well were another pair of newly transplanted business owners with Corey and Kam Thompson of Hoppy Trout Brewing Co. sporting a brisket chili peppered with a dash of Glen Chuga Lodge, one of their new brews on tap.
The various other chilis ranged from classic Texas style, meaning only meat and chili powders without any beans, brought by second-time entrant JD Baker, an American Legion member, along with local VFW commander Scott Ramler’s three-meat chili entered for a fifth year.
Ramler’s wife, Cheryl, was quick to say, “I’m only the server. This is Scott’s baby, his recipe and it had beef, pork and venison in it.”
Having travelled the farthest via Lafayette, La., Cash Goulah was happy to represent Pete Hoffman’s first-time entry recipe of “Cajun Swamp Chili Delight.” which included a mix of Cajun spices and other guarded ingredients.
Bob and Cindy Strawhecker came back for a second time with their black bean chili. Cindy was quick to mention that they’re both active with the local military clubs and organizations, and enjoy seeing the community gather to celebrate veterans.
Also on the first-time roster was Chad Scoggins with Chasity Ledford, who should have won an award for first to run out of chili, a good measure of how ravenous the crowd was.
The VFW is a fraternal organization. Post 7620 offers weekly morning coffee and meetings and welcomes veteran visitors.
Details: Email vfw7620@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/Andrews-VFW-Post-7620.