7-time winner falls at Jaycees’ chili cook-off
Published Monday, February 4, 2008
Photo by Jeff Hage
Vikki Greene’s jacket is embroidered wither her chili cook-off wins.
Vikki Greene knows how to celebrate the annual Frostbite Festival.
She does it with a little fire and spice.
For the past seven years Greene has entered the Fergus Falls Jaycees’ annual chili cooking competition. And for the past six years she’s walked away with one of the event trophies.
On a chair behind her serving table Saturday rested a jacketwhere Greene had proudly embroidered each and every one of her chili contest championships — but there won’t be any new stitching this year.
Greene’s string of championships came to an end Saturday at the 2008 Chili Cook-off, but that didn’t stop hundreds of chili affectionados from voting for what has become one of the best chilis in Otter Tail County.
For years Greene cooked her award-winning chili at the Farmhouse Cafe in Underwood. She has moved on to the Dalton Cafe, where people in the southeastern corner of the county now line up for her spicy treats.
“I’ve been making chili for the past 30-plus years,” Greene said.
“I make it for the duck hunters, and especially the deer hunters — six quarts at a time,” she said.
It’s not her chili from the restaurants that has won her awards, however.
“I have a special competition chili for that,” Greene said. “You can’t get it at the restauant. It’s my private stock.”
What’s in her competition chili? She won’t reveal all the ingredients, but five different meats, two beers and some brown sugar get her off to a good start, she said.
“I go for the flavor, not the heat,” Greene said.
Ardis Moore travels to Fergus Falls every year to get that special flavor.
“I live in Barney, N.D. and come 45 miles one way to try this chili,” Moore said.
Moore says that Greene’s chili is the best she’s ever had.
“I think this is the best tasting chili. I like the fact that it’s all meat and no beans,” she said.
Irene Johnson of Battle Lake took a liking to the chili, too. After having a small sample cup she returned to Greene’s table and treated herself to a big bowl with cheese and sour cream.
“It’s the best one here,” she said.
“It’s just right,” said Ellen McGavin of Fergus Falls.
Greene, who prepares her chili with her enthusiastic mother Alice Greene, said her chili is different for each competition.
“Every year I tweak it just a bit,” she said.
THis year’s addition: Fresh ground spices in a recipe she calls Texas-style.
But it’s not making an award-winning chili that gives Greene the biggest thrill each year.
“The Jaycees put on a great fundraiser. I enjoy coming out, spreading the word, and helping out with a good cause,” she said.
