For the Reporter

Emerald Downs hosted the 37th annual Washington State Chili Cookoff last Saturday, with winners advancing to the world championship in Las Vegas on Oct. 24-26.

Austin Miller served as head judge, and Cheryl Miller kept score.

Competitors vied for top honors in three categories: chili red, chili verde and salsa.

The results:

Chili red:

1. Erin Wilkey, Shoreline
2. Lisa Beaver, West Richland
3. Cathy Wilkey, Shoreline
4. Chris Beaver, West Richland
5. Harry Robinson, California

Chili verde:

1. Lisa Beaver, West Richland
2. Chris Beaver, West Richland
3. Jim Price, executive chef at Emerald Downs

Salsa:

1. Harry Robinson, California
2. Leonard Kellogg, Lynnwood
3. Destry Henderson, Tacoma

People’s choice

Bill and Yuki Batten, Auburn

Best booth

Thirty-One Gifts with Crystal Dechko, Auburn

Honorable mention

Ila’s Foods, Lake Cushman

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PHOTO BELOW:

Chef Frank Jackson from the Rescue Mission group cooks up chili during the cookoff at Emerald Downs. Rachel Ciampi, Reporter