For more information contact: Email:

Mark Nixon : 517-702-6735 MDN@LBWL.COM

15 amateur finalists headed to the June 13 BWL Chili Cook-off

Fifteen amateur chiliheads are going to the annual BWL Chili Cook-off on June 13, after competing in today’s BWL Amateur Chilihead Tryouts.

The June 13 cook-off will be the first time the annual event will be open to amateur chili competitors. In the past, competition at the BWL Chili Cook-off was restricted to restaurants, businesses and organizations.

Judging took place today at the Lansing Center. A panel of five judges scored all competing chilis on a 1-5 scale, five being the highest score.

Because of the closeness of the scoring, and because there were several tie scores, officials decided to send all 15 chili contestants to the “Main Event” in June. Initially, 13 finalists were going to go to BWL Chili Cook-off.

Winners of the Amateur Chilihead Tryouts are:

Tom Cathey of Lansing, Brad Ellsworth of Lansing, Tom and Teresa Gloden of Lansing, Debra Hill of Lansing, Delton Jones of Lansing, Sarah and Jason Leitch of Lansing, William Mack of Lansing, Thomas Marcinak of Potterville, Amy Miller of Lansing, Rolland Mollitor of Lansing, Lanard Pope of Bath, Kevin Reeves of Lansing, Jeffrey Stoner of Eaton Rapids, Matt Wagner of Laingsburg and Mike Warsco of Perry.

This year marks the 13th annual BWL Chili Cook-off, to be held on Friday, June 13 along the River Trail next to the Lansing Center.

Each year, thousands of people attend the cook-off, which raises money for local charities. In 2007, more than $35,000 was given to local non-profits: The HOPE Scholarship Connections Program and Impression 5 Science Center/Adopt A River.

The June 13 BWL Chili Cook-off runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $5, which allows guests to sample more than 40 kinds of chili.

For more information on the BWL Chili Cook-off, visit our cook-off Web site: www.bwlchilicookoff.com

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