After five-year hiatus, chili cook-off returns to Lake Zurich

A Lake Zurich tradition that has been on the back burner for years returned Sunday and showed signs of heating up again.

After a five-year hiatus, the Barn Burnin' Chili Cook Off was held in Paulus Park.

Judges sampled the wares of 15 contestants, including Brian Spencer of Champaign, the defending champion of the Terlingua (Texas) International Chili Championship. Spencer also took first place in Sunday's event.

The contest was held under the rules of the Chili Appreciation Society International, which also governs the Terlingua cook-off. And that meant no filler, such as beans and macaroni.

"Basically it's meat and gravy," said Spencer, who was more than happy with the rules, since, "I'm a lazy cook."

Bonnie Caputo, parks and recreation manager for the village, said the community has been clamoring for the return of the cook-off, which was discontinued in 2007.

"So this is kind of the kickoff to hopefully a wonderful annual event," she said.

Lake Zurich resident Mia Hirschel, one of the driving forces behind the event, said her husband, Jerry, used to cook in the event and both had judged.

"It was a lot of fun and we thought it was beneficial to the community," she said.

Chili tastings were available to the public at 2 p.m. for $3 per person - $2 for any member of the public bringing a canned good for a local food pantry. Proceeds benefited the Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Day Camp's scholarship fund.

Among the judges were Lake Zurich Village President Thomas Poynton and the village's police chief, Steve Husak.

The event was something of a learning experience for the judges.

"I was amazed at how different 15 chilis could be," said one of the judges, Shari Sorrells of Kildeer. "Now I know. I also learned a lot about what I like and what my husband likes."

"I miss the beans, though," she added. "I like the fillers."