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Chili recipe heats up the competion, taking the win
Oct. 29,
2012 |
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Agawam resident and long-time cook, Steven Stark's chili won 'People's Choice' at the World's Championship Chili Cookoff (WCCC) on Oct. 7. Pictured are the winners of the WCCC. Left to right, Steven Stark, Chris Everhart and his daughter, Sean Richardson, and Hormel representative Daniel Uskert.
Reminder Publications submitted photo
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By Carley Dangona
carley@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — Long-time resident and cook, Steven Stark, won the Hormel People's Choice Challenge on Oct. 7 at the 46th Annual World's Championship Chili Cookoff (WCCC) in Charleston, W.Va.
Stark's team, Stark Raven Mad, earned the $1,300 prize with its unique Turkey Chipotle chili recipe, which includes dark Belgian chocolate, Jack Daniel's Whiskey and chipotle. Previously, they placed second in the same contest on the Friday and Saturday of the competition.
Stark qualified for the WCCC after taking first place in the Chili Verde and third place in Salsa categories of the Maine State Cookoff, on Aug. 25.
"People describe it as delicious," Stark said. "It's not extremely hot, but it has a glow. I get lots of requests for it with my catering business."
Vicki Marnick, administrator for the International Chili Society, discussed the People's Choice category. "The event has always been part of the championships and is a big crowd pleaser. The crowds love it. The category is less rule restricted than the competition chili categories. It's a great judging process because the crowd is the judge. Whatever they choose wins — it [the favorite style of chili] varies from region to region," she said.
By day, Stark works for the U.S. Postal Service. He spends his free time operating Burnt Offerings BBQ Co.
Stark is no stranger to competition — while it's his fourth year in the chili circuit, he has competed in the barbeque circuit since the early '90s, winning numerous accolades, including the Grand Championship in the 1996 Massachusetts State BBQ Championships.
Stark has since retired from barbecue competitions. His participation in the chili cookoffs evolved because he missed the competitive aspect of contests.
"I'm highly competitive. I was my class valedictorian. I've been across country twice on my bike, I've participated in Katelynn's Ride in 2006 and 2008, and have participated in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge for 23 years," he added.
Stark bakes too. "I courted my wife with chocolate chip cookies," he said. "I love to bake — caramel chocolate cheesecake, coconut cream pies, [are just some of the desserts I create]."
The 2013 competitions are underway and Stark plans to compete at the New England Regional Chili Cook Off in May 2013 in Somers, Conn. "I'm still working on the red," Stark stated.
For information about the WCCC, visit www.chilicookoff.com. For details about Burnt Offerings, go to www.burntofferingsbbq.com.
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