Chili on Tip of Judges’ Tongues

It will be a chili day at Port Hueneme Beach come Saturday--no matter how bright the sun shines.

The 2nd Annual Hueneme Surfside Chili Festival kicking off at 10 a.m. guarantees that forecast.

The festival is sponsored in part by the Port Hueneme Recreation Department and sanctioned by the International Chili Society, coordinator Carole Duffy said.

“Some of the cooks entered in the competition have been national and world champions,” she said.

About 30 cooks, coming from all over the state, are expected to vie for the blue ribbon, which will be awarded by a group of 10 judges.

With a keen eye and a scrupulous palate, the judges will look for everything from the color to the consistency of the chili.

This is serious business, says competitor Debbie Murray of Thousand Oaks. “There are written rules you have to follow when preparing the chili,” she said. Contestants are allowed three hours for preparation.

It seems the creme de le creme of chili recipes has yet to be created.

“It’s basically on the whim of the judges who wins,” Murray said.

“It’s impossible to answer what the judges look for,” competitor Joel Erickson of Thousand Oaks said. “I guess they look for flavor.”

While the judges are busy voting for the best chili, fair-goers can voice their opinions for the People’s Choice Award, Duffy said. The public is invited to taste each contestant’s concoction for 50 cents a spoonful.

Proceeds will benefit the Port Hueneme Special Olympics program.

Also scheduled is live music throughout the day, rides for the kids, a petting zoo and arts and crafts booths.

The festival--continuing through 6 p.m.--will be held at Port Hueneme Beach near the pier. There is no entrance fee. For more information, call 986-6555.