CHUGWATER – Smokin’ hot or slightly sweet, exotic or traditional – it was all there at the Chugwater Chili Cookoff this weekend.
With chili and salsa enthusiasts from around the region (and a couple from far-off states and even Germany), the cookoff had 21 red chili, 16 green chili, and eight salsa entries – and samples all around for anyone bold enough to try them.
“This is our fourth year in a row coming – we love it!,” Kelly Medhurst, from Cheyenne, said. “We tell everyone to come see this great event and to support this small town – it is so great! People come from all over – we always have a blast.”
While the contest is the central piece of the Chugwater Chili Cookoff, there were plenty of events to keep everyone busy throughout the day: from the shine of the car show to the dust kicked up from mutton bustin’ and bronc riding, there was the chinking of poker chips during the Texas-hold ’em tournament, the fire and sweet contrast of both the jalapeño and pie eating contests, a cake walk, and the challenge of the Ninja Warrior course – all with live country music ringing throughout Staats park by Sterling Drake, Brennan Scott Greene, and Kenny Feidler and the Cowboy Killers. Visitors were also able to peruse a large variety of products and services from the many vendors on site.
After a rigorous two-round, double-blind taste testing from over 40 volunteer judges, winners were announced. First place in Red Chili - and winner of the greenhorn award - went to Amy Kennison (Wyoming Homestead Meats) of Cheyenne; second place went to Karen Hendricks (Rowdy Red) of Broomfield, Colorado; and third place went to Matt Willis and Shannon Ison (Wyoming Game Chili) from Cheyenne.
First-place green Chili winner was Chugwater team: Pat Jacobsen and Brice McIntosh of “Bringin’ the Heat.” Second place went to Justin Vaughan (Flavortown Chili) of Cheyenne; third place went to Casey Medina (Funky Cold Chili Construction Crew) of Cheyenne.
The junior class red chili winner was “Bronco’s Chili” chef Zaiden Holguin, 13, of Fort Morgan, Colorado. He said he likes to cook all kinds of food and wanted to “see how it goes” in the Chugwater Chili Cookoff.

First place in the salsa contest went to Acie, Corbin, and Stella Vaughan of “Flavortown Chili” from Cheyenne. Second place went to Skye Klutts (Prairie Fire Chili) of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Showmanship awards went to Gary Kuka (Duelin’ Peppers Chili) of Parker, followed by Joe Kuka (11th Place Chili) of Parker, and Lyman Wilkinson (The Chili Shack) of Loveland, Colorado.
People’s choice winners for salsa were Justin Vaughan and kids from (Flavortown Chili) of Cheyenne; green chili winners were George and Luz Aitchison of Aitchison Land and Cattle Co. of Chugwater; and Pat Jacobsen of Chugwater (Bringin’ the Heat) won the red chili people’s choice award.
First-place winners in the judged portion of the competition will represent Wyoming in the C.A.S.I. Chili Cookoff “ultimate” championship in November at Terlingua, Texas.
Contestants at the Chugwater Chili Cookoff’s pie-eating contest had their choice of key lime, chocolate cream, cherry, or apple pie, and while everyone made a good attempt at the no-hands game, the first one to eat enough to show the bottom of the pan was Colton Halvorsen of Wheatland. He chomped down on an apple pie. “It was a good pie and I like eating food,” he said.
The Jalepeño-eating contest winner was reigning champion Katie Case, with 13 chilis. She said her secret is being raised eating them.
Phoebe Garnick (Mrs. Tri-lakes of Mrs. Colorado for Mrs. America Pageant) also made an appearance at the cookoff with her husband Joshua. There were also various state dignitaries who stopped in for a taste.
Proceeds from the event are used by local non-profit organizations benefitting the community of Chugwater, including the volunteer fire department, community center, Chugwater Economic Development (CHED), Chugwater Historical Unity Group (CHUG), student organizations (FFA and FBLA), and scholarship fund.
Volunteers throughout the community and business sponsors are essential to the success of the cookoff which has become a tradition after its inaugural debut in 1986 to “celebrate the best chili and the best community – together.” It has since grown to be the largest single-day event in the entire state of Wyoming.
Other winners in the cookoff were…
Red Chili: Fourth place was Susan Arnold of Prairie Fire Chili from Scottsbluff; fifth place was Pat Jacobsen and Brice McIntosh of Chugwater; sixth place was Collin Metz (Tectonic Tingle Chili) from Grand Island, Nebraska; Seventh place was Joe Kuka (11th Place Chili) from Parker, Colorado; eighth place was Heather Hicks (Hawaiin Cowgirls) of Cheyenne; ninth place was Jerry Arnold (Prairie Fire Chili), 10th was Mia Arnold from Prairie Fire Chili; 11th place was Abby Beckwith of Denver, 12th place was Gary Kuka (Deulin’ Peppers Chili) of Parker.
Green Chili: Fourth place went to Scott Thieman (The Shaker Maker) of LaPorte, Colorado; fifth place went to Laura Neimic and team (Los Tres Conchinero), a team representing Colorado, New Mexico and Germany; sixth place went to Amy Kennison (Wyoming Homestead Meats) of Cheyenne; and seventh place went to Peter Inells (Jackalope Jack’s) of Cheyenne.