Kids dominate chili cookoff

Making a prize winning chili dish isn't kid's stuff, unless it's at the Assembly of God Church in Plains, where 11-year-old Darren "Bud" Standeford and his sister Kaylah Standeford took first and second place at the Church on the Move 5th Annual Chili Cook-off on New Year's Eve.

The Standeford siblings were among six male and four female contestants in the contest, which ran from around 7-9 p.m. in the church coffee shop. Third place was also a youngster, Jeremiah Allen, 14, who joined with Scott Dicken as team "Jeremiah in a Pot."

The contest was a fundraiser for the church's youth ministry, said Jason Cuddy, chief coordinator of the chili competition this year. The competition was free, but it cost $5 per person or $20 for a family – any size – to participate. The event raised $221.

Darren Standeford's first place won him a roaster pan. Second place received a small crock-pot. Jeremiah in a Pot won an assortment of kitchen items. Last place contestant Anita Marsh, who called her team "Sweet n' Sassy," was recognized by receiving a bowl, a packet of chili ingredients and a chili recipe. The Standefords are the children of Chuck and Krista Standeford. Chuck took over as church pastor in November after former pastor Jim Sinclair retired after 20 years of service. Krista is the daughter of Jim and Renee's Sinclair.

"The kids worked really hard on their chili and it was a fundraiser for the youth ministry, so it was great that they won," said Cuddy. This was the third time for Darren to compete. He took fourth place two years ago. Kaylah has finished in the top five each of the four previous times she's participated in the event.

Contestants ranged from 11 years old to 74-year-old Bill Alde, a first time participant. It was also the first time for the church's interim pastor, Jonathan Zigler, and his "Chili Chili Bang Bang." Zigler said he had a dozen ingredients for his dish, including a special Subway buffalo barbeque sauce.

Rules for entering were simple, said Krista Standeford. No previously prepared or canned chili could be used, said Standeford, who took top honors three years ago, although she attributed her victory to the absence of three-time winner Larry McDonald, who decided to "retire" this year.

"It's time for somebody else to win and besides, I wanted to go out on top," said McDonald, who revealed his "secret" six chili ingredients in a poem during Sinclair's retirement.

Pots of the contestants' chili were kept in a small room next to the coffee shop, where members of the chili cook-off committee placed a tablespoon sample of each contestant's chili in a small plastic cup. Only the committee members and contestants were allowed in the room. The cups of chili were numbered so not to reveal the names of the cooks. Just over 80 people took part in the judging this year. Once they completed their vote, they could have a bowl of their favorite chili.

The pastor said he's seen some unusual chili dishes over the years, but the strangest was a chocolate chili by the late Bob Stephens several years ago. He said they've had chili recipes with elk, deer and bear, both mild and spicy. "We had one that was so hot, it burnt your nose if it even got close to it," said Krista Standeford.