Chili Cookoff Winners Crowned in Downtown Plymouth

Freshly made chili was a hot item Sunday in downtown Plymouth as thousands visited for the Great Lakes Regional Chili Cookoff.

Cooks from around the country descended upon downtown Plymouth with hopes of taking home a plaque for their prized recipes.

The event also featured live music from Steve King and the Dittilies, children's rides and an abundance of flashy motorcycles.

Winners, as selected both by attendees and judges, included:

Salsa

• 1st Place - Bill Donovan
• 2nd Place - Gail Donovan
• 3rd Place - Diane Lentz

Chili Verde

• 1st Place - Richard Chauvin
• 2nd Place - Tom Pardikes
• 3rd Place - Lauren Ray

Red Chili

• 1st Place - Diane Lentz
• 2nd Place - Gail Donovan
• 3rd Place - Jim Stoddard
• 4th Place - Bill Donovan
• 5th Place - Wes Carlson

Best Booth

• Leo Buk, Nuclear Chili

People's Choice

• 1st Place - Ron Smith
• 2nd Place - Chris Thompson
• 3rd Place - Ken Kostal and Jose Torres (tie/both win)

Restaurant Chili Challenge

• People's Choice - - Plymouth
• Best Judged - - Plymouth

Richard Chauvin of Windsor, Ontario, winner of chili verde, said the Plymouth event likely was the most work he's done for a chili cookoff, because of "the support the town gives."

Chauvin said chili verde, or green chili, has a fresher taste than red chili.

"A mediocre green chili is better than a great red," he said.

He said his recipe is "a little on the hot side," and that he uses all fresh ingredients.

Chauvin, a retired accountant, said he cooks chili "just for fun," but hasn't ruled out going into the food business.