Pet Parade and Chili Cook-off raises $20,000 for animals

Dozens of dogs, cats, birds and a young calf converged at Tivoli Too on Sunday afternoon for the Laguna Board of Realtors’ 18th annual Pet Parade and Chili Cook-off.

Awards were given for most handsome male, prettiest female, cutest baby pet (for animals a year or younger) and more.

Pet participation increased by 25% from a year ago and supporters donated slightly more than $20,000, event chairwoman Nancy Pooley wrote in an email.

Proceeds will benefit the Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, the Board of Realtors’ Charitable Assistance Fund and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

The team of Karen Crosbie, Ann Metzger, Sherrie Larsen, Tony Flores, Jodi Cook, Diane Asposto, Cathleen McNally, and Jennie Tindall, all from Orange County real estate firm Surterre Properties, won the chili cook-off, Pooley said.

Cook-off judges included Laguna Beach Police Capt. Jason Kravetz, Nirvana Grille owner and Executive Chef Lindsay Smith-Rosales, former Bon Appetit magazine Editor-in-Chief Barbara Fairchild and former James Beard Awards judge J. Paul Higgins.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce