More than 330 people filed into the Crookston High School commons for the United Way Soup and Chili Cook-Off and Chocolate Extravaganza on Thursday night. Attendees tried a large variety of soup, chili, and chocolate in support of the United Way of Crookston. Nell Deboer, a board member for the United Way of Crookston, said the 20th annual event was a success. “It went fantastic,” said Deboer. “We believe there were 330-350 people coming out in this terrible weather. The place was packed, and the line just kept going and going. We were running out of trays and things like that. We did really well on our raffle. It was a fantastic evening. We had 18 entries and three chocolates, so we had soup, chili, and chocolate. And I think everybody had a great time.”
Each of the entries into five categories (professional soup, amateur soup, professional chili, amateur chili, and chocolate) were judged by a small panel. The soup and chili categories were also voted on by all the attendees. The winners and entrants into the categories were:
Judge’s Choice Professional Soup: “Chicken Dill Pickle Soup” – RBJ’s Restaurant
People’s Choice Professional Soup: “Chicken Dill Pickle Soup” – RBJ’s Restaurant
Professional Soup Entrants: “Creamy SooRad Soup” – Daroos, “Cream Beef & Mushroom Soup” – Crookston Inn, “Famous Shanty Beer Cheese Soup” – Irishman’s Shanty
Judge’s Choice Amateur Soup: “Loaded Baked Potato Soup” – Highland and Washington Elementary
People’s Choice Amateur Soup: “Loaded Baked Potato Soup” – Highland and Washington Elementary
Amateur Soup Entrants: “Taco ‘Bout Early Detection Soup” – Altru Clinic, “Enchil ‘Anna’ Soup” – American Federal Bank
Judge’s Choice Professional Chili: “No Chunky Junk Chili” – Daroos
People’s Choice Professional Chili: “Longshot Chili” – Crookston Eagles/Auxiliary
Professional Chili Entrants: “Northwoods Chili” – Crookston Inn, “Caputo’s Chili” – Kapa Sigma
Judge’s Choice Amateur Chili: “Kickin’ DAC Chili” – Polk County DAC
People’s Choice Amateur Chili: “Kickin’ DAC Chili” – Polk County DAC
Amateur Chili Entrants: “Chili Chili Bang Bang” – Crookston Home Delivered Meals, “Golden Age Chili” – Golden Link Senior Center, “Bonfire Chili” – CHEDA, “Scobey’s Chili” – Rotary Club, “Sweet as Sugar Chili” – American Crystal Sugar Company, “Not So Chilly Chili” – Villa St. Vincent
Judge’s Choice Chocolate: “Sinfully Silky Sweet Chocolate” – Golden Link Senior Center
Chocolate Entrants: “Rolo Brownie Bites” – Ox Cart Days/Perfectly Yummy, “Decadent PB Snicker Bar” – RiverView Adult Day Services
RAFFLE WINNERS
30 x 60 Photo of “The Red Barn” ($850) – Debbie Knutson
Renu Dental Bleaching Kit ($395) – Amanda Maygra
AmericInn Kids Pool Party – Andres Freeman
Ampride Six Car Washes – Nate Espinoza
Chamber Celebration Awards Night Ticket ($45) – Lori Jensen
B & E Meats Gift Certificate – Eric Morgan
Chickadee Coffee & Cups – Marilyn Wentzel
Crookston Eye Clinic Gift Certificate ($100)– Maggie Brynn
Hugo’s Gift Certificate ($100) – Kent Ellingson
LeBlanc Realty Cash ($100) – Mike Muir
Lori Wagner Artisan Jewelry – Bryan Boll
Montague’s Gift Basket – Gary Sundeen
Nell DeBoer Pink Zebra Home Décor – Michelle Helgeson
