More than 100 residents waited in line to taste and cast a ballot for their top salsa and chili recipes at the Montezuma County Fair last week.
Labeled S-1 thru S-12, there were a dozen salsa entries, including one with mango. There were a handful of chili contestants, tagged C-1 thru C-5. Some had beans, others didn’t.
“They were all good,” said Jaycee Gallaher, of Dolores.
She and her mother, Staci, were among the judges. They both chose C-3, a white bean and chicken chili as their favorite.
Olivia Marion of Cortez admitted she found her award-winning white bean and chicken chili recipe on the Internet. She won a new crock-pot in a landslide cook-off victory using the tech savvy approach.
“I’ll be back next year,” said Marion.
Kayla Hageman, of Arriola, 16, used her mother’s recipe, winning a chip platter by a single vote.
Royanne Lichliter, who returned from Denver to attend her home county fair, wasn’t too disappointed taking second place using a friend’s salsa recipe.
“I won $15,” she said.