The Chile DeCautina y Plaza team of Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & SPA Hotel, represented by Victor Barajas and Aleksandrs Balaujuks, Gerhard Erasmus and Olegs Sorocins made their Victor's pride & joy Chili a winner at the 14th Annual Chili Cook-Off hosted by the American Latvia on October 11 at Rocket Bean Roastery. In addition, Chile DeCautina y Plaza won People's Choice Award determined by the public vote.

The Chile DeCautina y Plaza team received the title Best Chili Riga 2018 and a special Chili Pepper Award. In addition, they were awarded a prize from Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.

2nd place was awarded to the Chili Sultans team from Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel for their International Autumn Warmer Chili.

The event was supported by airBaltic, organic farm Akmeņsalas, Bellevue Park Hotel Riga, Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, Indian Raja, Pullman Riga Old Town, Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel and Rocket Bean Roastery.

The jury consisted of expert chili tasters and chefs: Glenn Tosten, Management Officer at the U.S. Embassy; Ilze Jurkāne, culinary expert, author and media personality; Mārtiņš Doršs, Chief of Rocket Bean Roastery and Toni Vanhanen, Owner and Manager of Smart Move Relocation. Judging was done by evaluating each chili by aroma, appearance, taste and aftertaste.

The Annual Chili Cook-Off is a traditional autumn event where AmCham members and friends compete for the Best Chili in Riga award.

7 teams participated in this year's Cook-Off including:

• Chili Sultans Team: Artjoms Dadojenkovs and Azimkhon Askarov from Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel with chili International Autumn Warmer
• COBALT Extra Hot Team: Kristīne Patmalniece and Ingrīda Kariņa-Bērziņa from COBALT with chili A Night to remember 
• CUT Team: Aleksandrs Košanskis and George Miu from Radisson Blu Elizabete with Red CUT Chili Peppers chili
• Geographically Challenged Team: Steve and Ieva Hertel with Novārds 2 
• Richard Hunter, Individual member with Georgia real McCoy chili
• Chile DeCautina y Plaza team: Victor Barajas, Aleksandrs Balaujuks, Gerhard Erasmus and Olegs Sorocins from Radisson Blu Latvija Conference and Spa with Victor's pride & joy
• Rūna Team: Inese Treiliņa-Bergmane and Baiba Bērtulsone-Aasheim with Best vegan chili by Runa

our supporters:

  Akmeņsalas            

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