Matt Burnett regains “Chili Champ” Title at Rotary 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off

By on October 6, 2016
Back row (l-r): John Mainella, Dave Leonards, Joel Westphal, Norm Melzer. Front row (l-r): Kelly Tingle, Alice McColgin, Marie Koenig, Matt Burnett

Click to enlarge and see names.

The Rotary Social Committee put on the 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Triton Tap Room in Broad Ripple on Wednesday, 10/5/16, as part of Rotary 5:31 Club which is usually held the First Wednesday of every month. The weather was super, all had a great time, smack was flying, and nobody has died from the chili yet (as far as we know). The seven entrants in order of signing up were John “Shimmy” Mainella, Kelly “ Hot Mamma” Tingle, Matt “Cool as a Pepper” Burnett, Norm “Reigning Champ” Melzer, Marie “Spicy” Koenig, Joel “Shorty” Westphal, and Alice “Tasteful” McColgin. There were eleven judges who wish to be nameless for fear of repercussions; we thank them all for “stepping up to serve”. Third place ended in a tie between Norm Melzer and Joel Westphal; Second went to Marie Koenig; and Matt Burnett regained the four C’s (Culinary Chef Chili Champ) Title finishing in the top spot. Matt Will was sorry he couldn’t be there claiming he would have won if he could have participated. Special thanks to our Chairperson Jenny Conder for helping keep us all cooking, Ron Baker for bringing the supplies, Greg Albright for backing us up in the office, all the fantastic entrants, Bill Bubenzer for taking all the photos, and Norm Melzer for making the awesome Silver Ladle Trophy.

About Indy Rotary

The Rotary Club of Indianapolis was founded in 1913, just eight years after the formation of the first club in Chicago. We are a diverse and vibrant club with nearly 200 members. Club meetings are on Tuesday's at noon at Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center, are open to the public and are concluded by 1:30 p. m. or before. Come join us!