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Cars, cook-off draws hundreds

Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator /

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

“I put in a lot of effort and used the best ingredients,” said Shannon Armas, who won first place for salsa. “Everything’s fresh.”

Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator

Food, cars and music attracted hundreds Saturday to the 12th annual Patterson-Westley Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off.

Local chefs pitted their skills against one another, while automobile enthusiasts displayed classic and modern cars and motorcycles.

Though the food contests featured fewer entries than in years past and the county health department prevented some cooks from entering, the competition remained lively.

“I put in a lot of effort and used the best ingredients,” said Shannon Armas, who won first place for salsa. “Everything’s fresh.”

A smile spread across her face as she talked about her award-winning creation — but, like the other competitors, she would not divulge her secret recipe.

Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator

Though the judges gave her first place, the assessment of her edibles was not universal.

“I don’t care who won, mine was better,” second-place winner Marybeth Marin said with a laugh.

Next year, she said, her victory will not be denied. However, Armas also plans to return.

“I have a second recipe that’s even better,” Armas said.

Three other cooking categories were dominated by Patterson’s American Legion, which won first place for chili, barbecue and showmanship. Legion cooks donned army fatigues to produce the winning concoctions, including peppers stuffed with Spam.

Chef Bobbie Adkins said keeping the chili mild helped ensure everyone could enjoy it. Using fresh ingredients was key to the award-winning taste, she said. Adkins would not reveal where she did her shopping.

Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator

Before the cooking even started, though, six contestants were eliminated from the competition because they did not meet health department requirements. Organizers plan to better communicate those requirements to contestants next year, chamber president Ellen Calmettes said. She said the event was a learning experience for the new leaders who took over the chamber this year. Several contestants complained about disorganization, she said.

Meanwhile, the American Legion’s entries got some light-hearted criticism, though the judges were impressed.

“Too much cilantro,” Patterson resident Tim Ross declared to Adkins, hoping to instigate a response.

“That’s your opinion,” Adkins said dryly. “The band thought our chili was the best.”

After the judges named the Legion’s chili the champ, Ross could be heard repeating, “There’s still too much cilantro.”

Ross wasn’t there simply to criticize the chefs, though; he took along his Toyota Prius, which was parked on Plaza Circle with dozens of other cars, trucks and motorcycles. Occasionally, contestants would start their engines and give them a rev.

“What car is on?” one woman said after hearing an engine roar. “Let’s go see it. I just love that sound.”

Many of the vehicles on display had been customized, but Ross’ ride probably had the most unique modification. The Prius he took to the show runs on hydrogen.

Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator

Unlike most of the other cars, Ross’ Prius was not the result of weekend hobbyists. It is part of a program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Ross had to remain mum on many of the car’s details, but it’s obvious he and his team have dedicated countless hours to the hydrogen vehicle.

“I still keep a sleeping bag at the office,” Ross told a neighbor who spotted him sitting in the driver’s seat.

He needed the sleeping bag in January, when the car set a world record for going 653 miles on one 150-liter (about 40 gallons) tank of hydrogen.

Ross’ car might have been the most high-tech, but others were more focused on preservation than modification.

Fred Rivers’ red 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible represented that perfectly.

“The trick is to keep it all original,” Rivers said. “It’s hard, ’cause you want to put on fancy wheels and everything.”

The only significant change Rivers made was the addition of a CD player. The original radio remains in the dash.

The cook-off also introduced a new event to the day’s festivities: a jalapeño-eating contest. Gustavo Leon took home first place by eating 12 peppers.

“It started (getting hot) at about six,” Leon said, “but I had to suck it up and go all the way.”

Countless beads of sweat clung to his face, but he assured fans that he could have gone further.

“I knew this was coming,” he said.

“I was ready for more.”

He should get his chance next year, along with all the other competitors. Organizers plan to continue the annual event and hope to iron out the wrinkles that accompanied this year’s show.

Leon’s rival is already predicting an upset.

“You get bragging rights for a year,” second-place jalapeño-eater Gary Calcote told Leon, “but I’m getting you next time.”

To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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