Chilympics 2008: 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!
