From a press release:
Cookers from around the United States and local cookers from Cheyenne are being invited to the inaugural Union Wireless Peppers on the Plaza, Cheyenne’s Chili Cook-Off, which will be held at the Cheyenne Depot on June 12-14. We are encouraging cooks and cooking teams to come out and cook red chili, chili verde chili, and salsa at the Cheyenne Depot. Cooks have the opportunity to win cash prizes, trophies, and the title to be One of the Best Chili Cooks in Cheyenne. This is a great time to show off your cooking skills and support three great non-profits.
Union Wireless Peppers on the Plaza, Cheyenne’s Chili Cook-Off will include two cook-offs with the International Chili Society (ISC) and one cook-off with the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI). Friday is the Mile High Regional ICS Cook-Off, followed by the Wyoming State Championship ICS Cook-Off on Saturday. Cooks who win on Friday or Saturday in the two ICS cook-off’s will have the opportunity to cook at the World ICS Chili and Salsa Competition in October 2009, with over $35,000 in prize money. Cash prizes totaling of over $1,500 are being paid at Saturday’s ICS cook-off for top winners in Traditional Red, Chili Verde (green) and Salsa competitions.
The CASI Cook-Off on Sunday, June 14, will include out-of-state cooks and cooks from Cheyenne and throughout Wyoming. There is no membership required to cook in the CASI Cook-Off, and there is a special "Business" category encouraging area businesses to bring a cooking team. Cooks for all three cook-offs will enjoy a free Cooks Party at the Historic Plains Hotel. Best Booth, People’s Choice Chili, Red Chili Calcutta’s and other contests will be held during the three day event.
Cheyenne families can come and taste the chilies and salsas being entered into the competitions for $2 a person. Attendees will have the chance to taste some former regional, district and world chili winners’ chili. Families will also be able to enjoy an outstanding line-up of free entertainment on the Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free family activities will be available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with lots of children’s games. Families can also participate in the Chili Eating Contests and the Arm Wrestling Contests.
This is a joint fund raising event for the Cheyenne Depot Museum, the Cheyenne Depot Museum Foundation and United Way of Laramie County. The City of Cheyenne and the Historic Plains Hotel are also providing support to this event. Union Wireless is sponsoring this event.
FMI: Cheyenne Depot Museum, 307-632-3905, http://www.cheyennedepotmuseum.org/.
