Soldiers test culinary skills during Chili Cook-Off

Photo By Wayne Cook | Pass the teeth and over the tongue, look out stomach, here it comes. Master Sgt. Kevin Thompson from Shillington, Pa., a funeral honors coordinator with the Directorate of Human Resources-Military, enjoyed another spoonful of piping hot chili during a chili cook-off at building 5635, March 3. The sergeant and other people from around Army Support Activity-Dix had the opportunity to relax for a moment and partake of the culinary skills of some of their comrades. The event was hosted by Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Mobilization Readiness Battalion.Photo by Wayne Cook, ASA-Dix Public Affairs  

FORT DIX, NJ, UNITED STATES

03.03.2010

Story by Wayne Cook 

USASA, Fort Dix

ARMY SUPPORT ACTIVITY-DIX, N.J. - The contest was hot at Bravo Company, Mobilization Readiness Battalion, as Soldiers and civilians put their culinary skills up against one another during a Chili Cook-Off March 3.

With an opportunity to relax a bit and enjoy some tasty food together, people from across Army Support Activity-Dix converged on building 5635 looking to find out which chili would reign supreme.

Complete with sombrero-wearing, dancing judges and 11 entries to tease or taunt the palate, the contest got underway.

While the judges scored each entry for aroma, color, consistency, taste, and aftertaste, the crowd dove into bowls of the delectable dishes along with plenty of sweet desserts.

One of the judges, Geneva Sturdivant from Beverly, N.J., the chief of the Transition Center with the Directorate of Human Resources-Military, said, "I thought it was real fun, interesting and exciting to work with the Soldiers at the cook-off. The dishes were so different and it was fascinating to see that many of the civilians and Soldiers have some real culinary skills."

Although none of the entries were too spicy they all presented various flavors and showed the diversity in different individuals' ideas of what makes a good chili.

There was the traditional beef and beans with chili sauce dish, a chicken in white sauce chili dish, and a vegetable and beans chili dish along with many others. The variety stretched the imagination of the judges.

When all was said and done and the scores were tallied, one chili stood out from amongst the many as the overall favorite of the judges while one came in at the very bottom of the list.

Sgt. Maj. Peter Christiansen from the MRB accepted the Silver Ladle and Chili Medal on behalf of his wife Patt who prepared the dish but couldn't stay for the entire event. As first place winner Christiansen, who resides in Burlington, N.J., said, "This has been a blast. It helps build esprit de corps amongst the ASA people and our Soldiers. When the boss [Lt. Col. David Polaneczky, MRB commander] takes time out of his busy schedule to participate and even enter the contest it is really a lot of fun."

Speaking of Polaneczky, a resident of Riverton, N.J., he had the honor of taking last place in the cook-off. His Dave's Good Luck Chili didn't inspire the judges but seemed to be a favorite with the crowd.

Christiansen ribbed the colonel when he said, "What's the difference between a sergeant major and a lieutenant colonel? Ten places."

To which Polaneczky replied, "I do want to point out that although I came in last place my pot is totally empty. The people have spoken."

According to the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Maj. Mark Thompson from Cape Girardeau, Mo., the idea for the cook-off was to supply an opportunity to relax and enjoy a little camaraderie and competition within the ASA-Dix. He hopes the next event can grow to include the rest of the Joint Base as well.

• Date Taken: 03.03.2010
• Date Posted: 03.05.2010 16:28
• Story ID: 46208
• Location: FORT DIX, NJ, US