NEWPORT BEACH : State’s Chili Cook-Off Full of Color, Flavor

The way these people talk about chili, you’d think they were sampling fine wine or aged cheese.

But these connoisseurs at a statewide chili cook-off wore blue jeans, T-shirts and bikinis as they sniffed and savored the meaty varieties of chili concocted in booths fashioned like medieval castles and jungle hide-outs.

Kent Wilks’ face wrinkled in concentration as he spooned in some chili from a paper cup. “It’s too thick,” the 22-year-old Newport Beach resident said. “It’s good chili. But it’s not hot enough.”

The atmosphere at the cook-off Thursday at Newport Dunes was as rollicking as it was competitive, with about 3,000 fun-seekers paying $25 each to watch 70 contestants vie for a chance to compete in an international cook-off. Winners were to be announced late Thursday night.

Norm Stafford, 46, of Thousand Oaks stewed his mouth-watering brew behind yellow Fire Department barricade tape with “Caution Hazardous Materials” printed on it.

While the secret recipes of other chefs might have subtle differences in spices or cooking heat, Stafford said his secret was a sinister one.

“I work with the Fire Department hazardous materials response unit” in Ventura County, he said. “I collect samples of hazardous materials and put it in my chili. I give my chili to all the other contestants. It kills them off. Then I neutralize it and give it to the judges.”

Stafford actually does work with hazardous materials. But, of course, none really get into his sauce. Cooking for the crew at the station helped him to perfect his formula.

John Shockley, 49, of Carson, fine-tuned his chili about 50 times, and last year won the state competition.

“Chili’s kind of like a race car,” he said. “Everything has got to be just right or it’s not going to win.”

Chili was not the only thing in the contest. The cooks and spectators dressed in outlandish duds--everything from papal robes to cheerleader miniskirts--to win the outfit contest. Another prize went to the best booth design and parade entry.