IMLAY - Imlay's Extreme Chili Cook-Off was hindered by extreme circumstances last month. The event held on Oct. 29 had only one chili cook-off contestant and no cars for its classic car show.
The culinary contest lost two of its chili cooking teams to a funeral that was held the same day in Winnemucca and another team due to sickness. Another death that happened in Imlay earlier in the week was cited by Imlay Auxiliary members as a reason for a low show of local residents and vendors.
The event however did bring more people than last year from the Lovelock and Winnemucca areas, said Imlay Auxiliary secretary Terry Sherbinow.
"Everyone was so understanding and they still enjoyed the chili," Sherbinow said.
The lone contestant, Natasha Stephenson, from Winnemucca, was awarded the first place and people's choice trophies at the cook-off. Stephenson made a spicy pumpkin chili that made those eating it wipe their foreheads and ask for more.
"It was still fun, but I wished there was a competition, 'cause my chili would have won," Stephenson said with a smile.
She said she would be back next year.
"All in all I think everyone who participated and came out still had a good time," Sherbinow said.
She said that the car show was organized by someone not associated with the Imlay Auxiliary and that she did not know why there was no car show. Sherbinow added that the Imlay Auxiliary is dedicated to doing the Extreme Chili Cook-Off at least one more year.
"We made a decision to do this for three years and see if it is something that would attract people," she said. "Judging by the amount of people who came out to taste chili and look at cars there are a lot of people who want us to continue. It was just circumstances out of our control that caused a lack of contestants and I don't know what happened with the car show."
She said if next year's chili cook off goes well the auxiliary will commit to doing it for another two years and at that time they will evaluate if it is financially feasible for the small group to continue. The group will spend the next year looking for someone else to organize the car show, she said.
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