Twelfth Annual Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off a Blast

This year's Alameda Kiwanis Chili Cook Off and BBQ dinner once again lived up to its "Must Attend Event" status. Almost 300 guests enticed their palates, tasting 11 extremely competitive chili entries, then cooled their heated tongues with mini Tucker's ice cream cones.  

Chili contest winners for Judges' Choice:

• First Place: Alameda Point Collaborative's Atomic Poppin' Chili
• Second Place: Cardinal Point Quayside Chili
• Third Place: Will Brothers Chili Pepper Company

The People's Choice Awards:

• First: Will Brothers Chili Pepper Company
• Second Place: Alameda Education Foundation BS Chili
• Third Place: Alameda Business Network

The fun continued as 27 guests became instant winners with a pop of a balloon, while bidding was furious on over 80 silent auction items.

Back Forty Texas BBQ carved up a delicious self-serve, all-you-can eat BBQ dinner, which guests enjoyed while tapping their toes to the Western entertainers and sipping margaritas.

Elvis even made an appearance. Shaking off the BBQ and chili was accomplished with a little line dancing, led by Nicole Will, and lots of music from Sound Explosion DJ Spin. Two lucky raffle winners walked away with an iPad each.

The most exciting aspect of this event: Kiwanis of Alameda Foundation collected almost $30,000. The net proceeds will be used the fund the foundation's annual grant distribution to many Alameda non-profits during 2011.

The Kiwanis event was a success, thanks to all our guests and to the generous support of businesses, Kiwanians and others in our community who donated cash and silent auction items. Special thanks to our sponsors: , , Hewitt Jones and Fitch, Edward Jones (Dominic McKenna), , , and .

It's not to early to start thinkin' Chili 2012 ... mark your calendars for Jan. 28, 2012.