ST. PAUL – A new team reigned victorious at the St. Paul Rodeo Chili Cook-Off held on Aug. 28 at Cornerstone Co-op.
The Co-op Gas Bar team took top honours. Capella Women's Shelter won second place, and the Lakeland Centre for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder won third place.
It was the "flavour" Cory Robinson, vice-president of St. Paul Minor Ball and one of the judges, revealed following the taste test. "They had the best chili. It was stronger and it was spicier," he said.
Dominic Hickey, from Co-op Gas Bar, said the team did not expect how the cook-off would turn out. "This is our first time joining," he said, so the team is happy with the win. "We're just pleased to step up for the Co-op and glad we won," he said. "My grandmother's old recipe from Mexico did the trick."
Asked what the recipe was, Hickey gave a hint. "Dark chocolate is the secret ingredient."
The team hopes to be back next year to defend their title.
Proceeds from the annual fundraiser will go to St. Paul Minor Ball this year and will be put towards replace the maintenance vehicle, a John Deere Gator utility vehicle, that was stolen and damaged back in July, according to Chantal Sadlowski, communications director with St. Paul Minor Ball.
"The community has been amazing to St. Paul Minor ball in helping us raise funding," she said. "We're a lot closer than when we started."
