Golden West Chili Shootout, Saturday, July 24

The inaugural Golden West Chili Shootout, featuring four competitive cooking categories, chili and salsa tasting, and other community-oriented activities, will be held Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the historic Native Sons Hall, 112 Stage Road, Pescadero.

Sponsored by the Native Sons of the Golden West, Pebble Beach Parlor #230, the event is organized and sanctioned by the International Chili Society (ICS, www.chilicookoff.com). Winners in the three ICS member categories –- Traditional Red Chili, Chili Verde, and Salsa – will advance to the Last Chance Cookoff at the ICS World Championships in October. A fourth Community category, is open to any member of the public.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the restoration of two critical icons of the Pescadero area: the historic Native Sons Hall, which was built in 1861 and serves as center of the town’s public gatherings; and the native species living in and around the Pescadero and Butano Creeks. The Coastal Alliance for Species Enhancement, (CASE, www.CASEforourenvironment.org) a newly-formed non-profit organization, is acting on behalf of the community to ensure the protection and restoration of riparian habitat for threatened and endangered native species such as steelhead trout, tidewater gobies, and coho salmon.

The Chili Shootout begins with participants arriving at 7am to receive instructions and begin their preparations. Public tasting and judging begins at 12noon for the salsa and community divisions, 1pm for Chili Verde, and 3pm for ICS Traditional Red Chili. Winners are announced at 5pm.

Tasting tickets will be available on-site on the day of the event. Other food and beverages will also be available.

For more information on cooking rules, requirements, and entry fees, visit www.ChiliCookoff.com.

For more information on the Golden West Chili Shootout or the Coastal Alliance for Species Enhancement, contact:

Steve Simms, CASE president
[email protected]
650-879-0739