Chili Cookoff Report

Top Cookoff Winner Dick Dietos

 

L to R, Rotary members Karl Norris and David Fitzgerald. Scouts of Beltsville Troop 1033

Saturday we hosted our third officially-sanctioned Chili Cookoff at our garden center in Beltsville.  Fifteen chili cooks competed in a juried competition to pick the best chili. The cooks started setting up at 8AM and by noon, pots of chili were bubbling away. There are strict rules about what can be in the chili (no beans, for example), and all ingredients must be assembled and cooked on site. Visitors to Behnke’s were able to sample some of the recipes, 5 samples for $5, with proceeds going to benefit the Beltsville Rotary Club. Judging began at 2PM, with 11 judges eagerly spooning chili, and cleansing their palates between samples with cheese and sour cream. Tough job if you can get it. The winning entrants accrue points toward earning a spot at the Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff, coincidentally held in Terlingua,Texas.

Thanks to all the chefs for coming out this year, and we’re already looking forward to next time.

Our judges, including Larry Hurley, Chris Upton, Diane Lively, and Karen Upton

Posted by Larry Hurley, Perennials Specialist for Behnke’s

Larry Hurley

Larry Hurley worked at Behnke Nurseries from 1984 until the business was composted in 2019, primarily with the perennial department in growing, buying and sales.

Before landing at Behnke’s, he worked as a technician in a tissue culture lab, a houseplant “expert” at a florist shop, and inventory controller at a wholesale nursery in Dallas. With this and that, ten years passed.

When his wife Carolyn accepted a position at Georgetown University, Larry was hired at Behnke’s for the perennial growing department and garden center at Behnke’s Largo location.

In 2021, Larry and Carolyn moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and further from traffic. After 37 years in a shaded yard in Maryland, he is happy to have a sunny lot where he can grow all sorts of new perennials, if only he can keep the rabbits at bay. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and the snowblower.

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March 26, 2025

Comments (1)

  1. Thanks to all the great people at Behnkes that made this possible. Hope to see more cooks next year

    and now …..

    Announcements, Announcements, Announcements ………

    Peoples Choice – John Elder
    Road Runner – John Elder
    CASI RED
    10th – Michael Watkins
    9th – Alex Sievering
    8th – Karen Werge
    7th – Jim Proctor
    6th – Laurie Midgley
    5th – Dan Baurer
    4th – Rick Sievering
    3rd – Nancy Bremer
    2nd – Janie Baurer
    Numero UNO – DICK DIETOS

    Reply

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