Anne Hance Wins Big Flat FFA Chili Cook-Off

Despite seven degree mercury readings at dinnertime and the fact that it had snowed most of the day on November 9, a crowd of approximately fifty people gathered in the Turner Public School's multipurpose room in support of the Big Flat FFA Chapter. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., the organization held its Second Annual Chili Cook-off and Silent Auction to raise funds that will defray costs while members travel for FFA competitions. Once all of the chilis had been taste-tested, Anne Hance was declared the winner.

Eleven contestants entered a crock pot of chili. That number included the seven FFA officers: President, Charlie Calvert; Vice-President, Trent Billmayer; Secretary, Ryan Doyle; Treasurer, Cassidy Grabofsky; Sentinel, Dakota Krass; Reporter and Student Council Representative, Caleb Zellmer; and Historian, Carson Maloney.

Each chili was assessed in four categories: Appearance, Flavor, Aroma, and Texture. Three teachers at the school: Mrs. Shelly Harmon, Mr. Travis Garrett, and Mrs. Donna Miller were joined by community members Lisa Hamilton and Ethan Heilig who served as judges. The judges mentioned that some of the chili was greasy, thin, or "more like sloppy joe sauce in appearance" while other varieties looked hearty and offered spicy aromas. The pots boasted flavor notes that ranged from bland or somewhat sweet and "tasting like barbecue sauce" to "possessing a pleasant cumin, cilantro, or peppery after bite."

Hance, who is also the Head Cook at the school, came away a clear winner since her personal pot of chili won first place, and the chili she had served for lunch that day-which was also submitted in the row of contestants-captured second place. The judges named a white chili prepared by Ryan Doyle as the third-place winner. Although Doyle's chili was described as "more like a soup than a chili" because of its chicken broth flavor and texture, judges remarked on its "delightful cilantro taste" and its "abundance of meat."

Upon winning, Hance grew emotional and thanked both FFA Chapter Advisor, Mr. Nathan Urie and President Calvert. In declaring Hance the winner, Urie presented her with a wooden plaque etched with a chili pepper and reading: 1st Place Chili.

When asked what inspired her to enter the contest, Hance replied: "Last year, I was a judge and thought: the kids at home like my chili for its sweety bite, so I decided to enter my recipe. I received approval from Mr. Urie to also enter the school's chili, which is a milder version."

Hance's love for cooking and baking began in childhood. At age eight, she helped her mother in the kitchen. "Although Mom let me create, she also made me clean up after myself, which for some kids can deter them from continuing in the kitchen, but not me. I love to cook! Actually, it's becoming a lost art."

To further encourage her, when Hance was ten years old, she entered a hot water gingerbread in the fair and competed against adults to win the grand prize. That experience sealed her passion. Hance reports that the cookbook in which that recipe was printed has since fallen apart, its pages loose and the binding crumpled, but she continues to use it: "I keep it in a Ziploc bag," she admitted.

In fact, Hance is currently working on creating a cookbook of her own, one that she plans to give to her granddaughter who lives overseas. "She calls me all the time for recipes and finally asked me to just write them all down," Hance explained.

One of the recipes that will go into the book will be Hance's chokecherry/jalapeño jelly. "It's really good on toast or for dipping jalpeños filled with cream cheese. I imagine it would also be good on turkey, kind of like a cranberry sauce with a kick. Dad liked hot stuff-maybe it's our Portuguese heritage, I'm not sure. But if you're ever wondering which recipes are the family favorites, you simply have to look at those with the gook and food on them," Hance stated.

In addition to the chili on Wednesday night, another feature of the FFA event were several silent auction items. Constructed in wood shop and displayed for bidding, these decorative works of art-appropriate for holiday home or yard décor-ranged from snowmen and angels to evergreens and bears. Mr. Urie also included a spiral tree, which was purchased for nearly $100.00. However, a snowman family created by freshman Joe Trautman and a pair of bears crafted by Dakota Krass, a senior, and Cassidy Grabofsky, a sophomore, were among the top revenue generators.

According to Calvert, the event was a success in spite of the weather and a shortcoming regarding advertising: "We probably would have had more people if we had more advertising. Although posters got made, they didn't get hung up, so we had to rely on Facebook to get the word out. The snow and cold didn't help, either, but everything turned out okay."