IT WAS HOT IN MADISONVILLE

The Northlake Board of Realtors Chili Cookoff was hotter then ever in Madisonville as 16 groups competed for the first-place prize. Proceeds of the event went to the Tangipahoa ARC and STARC programs to assist the mentally challenged.

For the $5 entry fee, one received all the chili they cared to eat, but Tums were extra. For the judging, samples were collected from each booth in mason jars and given a number. The four judges were given a sample of each of the chilis. New bowls and spoons were provided for each testing, as were grapes, water, crackers and cheese to clean their palettes in between tastings.

The four judges this year were Callan Sinclair from LA Grill; Wileanne Whiteman and Torri Solazzo of Ristorante Del Porto; and Joey Najolia from Café Lynn.

If chili was not your food of choice, there were also hot dogs for $1.

First-place winners in the chili contest was Homes and Land magazine, represented by Raquel Frederick, Eileen Hodgins, Emma Hodgins, Laurie Jones, Kirsten Craig and Diane Waller.

The NOLA Lending Group of Beau Bunce, Paul Chaisson, Vivian Miller, Jenny Goodrow, Kenny Goodrow and Sharon Cook took second place.

The Red Hot Chili Chicks, Re/Max Northlake Associates, won best booth showmanship. Their team included Kay Morse, Candy Modeen, Susan Kurzweg, Jennifer Pearse and John Fridge.