Local chefs share Chili Cookoff crown

Two local residents tied for first in a second annual chili cook-off held by Sons of Norway Polar Star Lodge 5-472.

Co-winners were St. Charles resident Stephan "Steve" Tanda and Barbara Johnson of Yorkville. Tanda won the inaugural contest last year.

The home chefs were voted tops by Polar Star Lodge members at the group's January meeting at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Montgomery.

Lodge members were invited to sample seven entries. They were identified only by numbers and with spice levels with numbers from 1 to 10.

In addition to Tanda and Johnson, other entrants were Barbara Brungart, Aurora; Jerilynn Baker, Oswego, contest coordinator; Karen Oswald, Naperville; Carol DeVito, Lombard; and Betsy Olson, Glen Ellyn.

Tanda and Johnson were awarded copies of "The Chili Cookbook" for first prize.

To learn more about the organization, visit www.polarstarlodge.com.