The 9th Annual Lip-Rippin’ Chilympics Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Grand Strand Surfrider Foundation was held Sunday, Oct. 12th at Spuds Waterfront in Murrells Inlet, SC under partly cloudy skies, cool breezes and 29 chilis from 22 competitors from as close as Murrells Inlet to as far away as Charleston. The estimated crowd of 3,000 plus enjoyed music from The Highliners, Sawgrass, The Regime, Free Beer and Ten Toes Up while tasting chilis ranging from Smoked Tuna Chili (Bimini’s) to ExxOFF (Doug Wendel and Matt Ellis) to Chili Gone Wild (Spuds Waterfront).

New South Brewing also wowed the crowd with their Octoberfest, India Pale Ale, White and Nut Brown Ales on tap all day, and we would like to recognize their generous donation once again to this event.

We can’t thank our supporters, competitors and volunteers enough, without whom this event would not be the great success that it is year after year. This year the chapter raised $12,000 to support upcoming projects and programs for 2009. Check our new website at www.surfridergrandstrand.org and sign up for the e-newsletter for future information.

Carl Kerridge has posted photos from the day (available for purchase): http://www.carlkerridge.com/v/Events/2008_001/chil/?g2_enterAlbum=1

Congratulations to raffle winners Marc Baudet who took home the Webber surfboard from Xtreme Surf Shop, and Billy Arnold for winning the Surf the Earth kayak!

Thanks must go out to our judges, seasoned pros and newcomers alike, who volunteer their time and taste buds to our event each year, and who do such a wonderful job with all of these great chilis. Additionally we would like to thank Mayor Allen Deaton, of Surfside Beach, who in addition to judging took on emcee duties and was a crowd pleaser.

Special thanks to the Seth and the staff of the Spuds Waterfront, Dave and the guys from New South Brewing Co., and our tireless volunteers – the brothers of the Delta Chi fraternity at Coastal Carolina University who were a huge help this year; the CCU Rugby Club volunteers; the Wilburn family; Robbie and Cindy; Jared, Curt and Julie for all of their help beforehand; Zachary for being a great organizer and emcee; and especially to Adam Janis, chapter president, who put in tons of time and energy to make this happen. Thank you all!

We’d also like to thank the bands for volunteering their time, talent and equipment, and a special thanks to Seth Funderburk for organizing the bands and equipment so the day would run smoothly. You guys are the best, and we really appreciate your efforts!

And I’d like to thank my family for their patience and understanding over the past few weeks working on this event, they’ve been great and supportive and helpful, and I couldn’t do things like this without them – so thanks Curt, Zachary, Joshua, Nina, Noah, Frankie, Mike and Michael!

And last but not least, thanks to everyone who came to the event and support Surfrider – you made it the best year ever! Thanks!

2008 Winners



Hottest

1st “Soul Burn” Bovine’s, Christopher Woodruff

2nd “Drop Your Shorts and Run” Tim Head

Best Vegetarian

1st “Seitan! Seitan! Seitan!” Pawleys Island Tavern, Cory McNair

2nd “Smoked Tuna Chili” Bimini’s Oyster Bar, Dennis Genault

Best Theme

1st “Jamaican Yum-Yum” Jason Sawadske and Craig Steffans

2nd “Hot Sexy Chili” Hamburger Heaven

Most Original



1st “Salmon White Bean Chili” Divine Fish House, Sean Christensen

2nd “Buffalo Chicken Wing Chili” The Melting Pot, Tommy Long

People’s Choice (determined by tickets sold combined with voting by attendees)

1st “Lost Sailor’s Steak and Shrimp Chili” David Allen

2nd “401K Chili” Todd Caton


Best Restaurant

1st “Southern Brewer’s Chili” Quigley’s Pint and Plate

2nd “The Super Bowl of Chili” Dagwood’s Deli, Jonathan Staton


Best Overall

1st “Pipeline Nioi Hala-Kahiki Moa Kili (Spicy Pineapple and Chicken Chili)” Curt Hein

2nd “Lost Sailor’s Steak and Shrimp Chili” David Allen

Thanks again everyone, and we’ll see you for next year’s cook-off on Sunday, Oct. 18th at Spuds!