California State Fair Hero Chili Cookoff heats up with bold talk
The kickoff to Wednesday’s State Fair Hero Chili Cookoff included a bit of good-natured chirping between competitors during a planned shopping event inside the Save Mart at Loehman’s Plaza.
Cooking teams from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and representatives from the military entered the grocery store at the same time shortly after 8 a.m. to grab their preferred ingredients.
“The firefighters have an advantage because they’re so used to shopping and cooking, while we are out working,” said Edward Igoe, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s team expressed confidence in their secret ingredient for this afternoon’s challenge at the State Fair.
“Heart and soul. Heart and soul every time,” said Travis Ahlers with the sheriff’s office.
Meanwhile, two teams from Sac Metro worked the aisles with confidence.
“Oh, this is right up there with the football rivalry. This is the big one to see who’s bringing home the golden bear, and we’re defending our title,” said Sac Metro Fire spokesperson Mark Nunez.
Sac Metro Fire’s hopes include past champion cook Adam Huckabee, who said heart and soul aren’t enough for a secret ingredient.
“That’s part of it. You also need fresh peppers and tomatoes,” Huckabee said.
And then there was Mike Retzlaff, an Air Force veteran who served nearly four decades beginning in 1968.
He may have walked slowly and softly through the grocery store, but his words were loud and clear.
“Those guys are cooks. I’m a chef. The military is going to win. I guarantee it,” Retzlaff said.
His secret to a winning chili?
“Can I say that? It’s in how you cook the onions,” said Retzlaff. “And some crushed pineapple.
Interested?
The People’s Choice Judging and tasting begins at 4 p.m. at the Save Mart California’s Kitchen inside Building B at the California State Fair.
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