This past Memorial Weekend the Rotary Club of Avalon hosted the third annual Catalina Island Chili Cookoff and crowned the annual Judge’s Best Chili.
With the illustrious title comes $1,000 in winnings and a trip to the End Polio Now Chili Cookoff and Angel’s Game in September.
This year’s contest featured 20 different chilis, with meats ranging from buffalo to brisket.
First time entrant Mark Hottendorf won his first crown with “The Taste of Love” chili and represented Avalon in the Angel’s Game Chili Cookoff.
Our local Rotary club, as part of a larger district, puts on the event during the tailgating at Angel’s stadium and invites 20 Rotary clubs from around Southern California to participate.
This fundraiser contributes tens of thousands of dollars to the Rotary Polio Plus Fund to help eradicate Polio around the world.
As this fundraiser is for Rotary clubs by Rotary clubs it does not offer cash prizes, although it does give the overall winner the opportunity to present the first pitch at the game following the event.
A traveling chili pot trophy stays with the winning club until it is dethroned.
Orange County Rotary clubs have been heavy favorites, with the last three trophies going to Fullerton, Anaheim Hills and Placentia, and winners have included International Chili Society Champions and District Governors. Despite the additional travel challenges coming from the island, The Taste of Love prevailed to take home consecutive 1st place finishes.
Living in Los Angeles we spoiled fans are obsessed with winning titles, so bringing one home to Catalina is a special moment; combine it with chili, baseball and Rotary fellowship and the day was a home run.
Mark’s view from the mound staring at a crowd of over 40,000 that included his wife and children?
Priceless.
