Chapel hosts Buckley Chili Cook-Off

Published Jan. 16, 2008
By Buckley's secret shopper
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Weston Walker, the 460th Space Wing chaplain, preached his very first hellfire and brimstone sermon at the Chapel's Fellowship Hall during a 10-minute devotional program at the Chapel's Fifth Annual Chili Cook-off Jan. 16.

The Chapel's Fellowship Luncheon featured chili, in twenty various permutations, prepared by some of Buckley's more adventurous chefs.

Chaplain Walker "warmed" up the crowd of more than 100 Team Buckley members by comparing the intense heat of the unholy underworld with that of some of the chili. He then welcomed everyone to sample the different kinds of chili and the beautiful desserts that the chapel had provided to cool the palate.

The event has grown every year, both in entrants and in the number of people willing to sacrifice both mouth and taste buds in search of the base's best chili.

Col. Christopher Ayres, 460th Operations Group commander; Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Candler, 460th Space Wing command chief; and Petty Officer 1st Class Kendall Stevenson and Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Ryan of the Naval Information Operations Command; were judges for the event and deliberated upon the best red chili, green chili, hot chili, unique chili, and overall chili. Folks attending the event also voted for the most popular chili.

Mr. David Welch, a base contractor, took the prize for the hottest chili.

Ms. Paula Paiz, a military family member, won the best green chili contest.

Ms. Debbie Cruz, the Chapel secretary, won for the best red chili. She was last year's winner for the hottest chili.

Deacon Richard Borda, from the chapel, took the best unique chili prize. He was last year's winner for best red chili and best overall chili.

The prize for best overall chili went to Mr. Lantz Trantham, a base contractor, and his wife, Ms. Yvette Trantham.

Master Sgt. Rick Hiltman, the first sergeant for the 460th Civil Engineer Squadron, won the general election for most popular chili.

Colonel Ayres announced the winners for the event, each of whom received a certificate announcing their chili-cooking prowess as well as aprons and oven mitts for future chili preparation.

While the Chapel Chili Cook-Off takes place once a year, the chapel hosts its Fellowship Luncheon on the third Wednesday of each month at noon, offering a brief respite from the work site, a great free lunch, an ecouraging word and a chance to meet other members of Team Buckley.