For those who have ever participated in a chili cook-off either as a cook or participant, the flavor of the competition remains the same. It’s all about taste—and winning.
For those who have ever participated in a chili cook-off either as a cook or participant, the flavor of the competition remains the same. It’s all about taste—and winning.
It’s no different for the 34th annual Cypress Community Festival to be held on July 26 at Oak Knoll Park located at 5700 Orange Ave. in Cypress.
Chili and salsa lovers will bring their taste buds to sample the 40+ entries from vendors, non-profit groups and individuals who are competing for 10 different awards.
Two-time defending Tasters Choice champion Kelly Collins-Fredholm returns for a three-peat performance, bringing her savory concoction known as “Krazy Kelly’s Kaliente Salsa” with her. She also won the title in 2006.
“I wouldn’t miss this event for anything,” said Collins-Fredholm. “It’s fun and the competition is great. I’m going for a three-peat and then retire.”
The Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Contest is produced by the Friends of Cypress Recreation & Parks, Inc. Applications for the chili event can be downloaded from the Cypress Festival website at www.cypressfetivals.com. Applications must be received no later than July 9 by 7 p.m. at the mandatory cooks meeting. Checks should be payable to the “Friends of Cypress Recreation & Parks, Inc.”
The Orange County Health Department requires that all contestants fill out and turn in a notarized Craven Exemption along with their entry form. Additionally, the City of Cypress requires all participants to sign a Megan’s Law Form. These documents are included in every application packet. A notary will be available at the July 9 cook’s meeting.
Taster’s Choice ballots go on sale at noon on festival day.
For additional information on the application and other aspects of the competition, contact Brian Sunley at 714-828-9551.
Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Contest benefit the many projects supported by the Friends of Cypress Recreation and Parks, including building baseball score booths, dugouts and the redesigning of city parks to meet the needs of a wide variety of local residents. The Roadhouse Band will perform in the chili area.
The festival draws more than 22,000 people at the one-day event and also features a Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, arts & crafts and commercial booth exhibitors, rides for the kids, a variety of food booths and entertainment on two stages throughout the day.
