Belton S.C. Cookoff Celebrates Chili
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The weather was cool but the chili steaming for the annual South Carolina Chili Cookoff in Belton Saturday. The internationally sanctioned event brought cooks from more than a dozen states to Belton to compete for a chance to go to the national championships in September.
Cool breezes and sunshine brought an estimated crowd of more than 3,000 for Saturday's event, which also featured music, and a car show.
This year’s winners are:
People's Choice Individual: 1st place tie: Brian Hubbs (Culinary Domination) and Henry Johnson; 2nd place Jim Sulsona (Scoville Units); 3rd Place Dale Yousey
People's Choice Organizational: 1st place Rock Springs Fire Dept.; 2nd place Belton Fire Department; 3rd place Advanced Security Systems
Best Chili in Belton (Amateur Homestyle): 1st place Team Cobb Tri County Technical College’ 2nd place Belton Fire Dept; 3rd place Clinkscales Chevy
ICS Veggie Chili: 1st place Don Cullum; 2nd place Tony Perry; 3rd place James Learish
ICS Homestyle Chili: 1st place Yen Nguyen; 2nd place George Xenakis; 3rd place Dale Yousey
ICS Chili Verde: 1st place George Xenakis; 2nd place James Learish; 3rd place Yen Nguyen
ICS Traditional Red: 1st place Don Perry. 2nd place Jim Sulsona; 3rd place Bill Thomas
Winners Kegs N Eggs Sunday Cook’s Only Event
Veggie Chili: 1st place John Blackwell; 2nd place James Learish; 3rd place Kurt Leithner
Chili Verde: 1st place James Learish; 2nd place Don Cullum; 3rd place Yen Nguyen
Homestyle: 1st place tie James Learish and Jim Sulsona; 3rd place Karen Cullum
Traditional Red: 1st place Yen Nguyen; 2nd place James Learish; 3rd place Jason Ross
