Danish Dynamite team, represented by Jan Gehlert and Stephan Thomsen of the Danish Embassy in Riga made their Chili Con Cliff a winner of the title Best Chili Riga 2012 at the 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (AmCham). The event took place on September 13 at the Spikeri art gallery kim?

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

2nd place was awarded to the Drupa family team for their Chuck Wagon Chili. 3rd place went to Coca-Cola Hellenic Latvia team for Coca-Cola Happiness Chili.

The jury consisted of expert chili tasters: US Ambassador Mark Pekala; previous winner, Director of Dome Hotel & Spa Janis Pinnis; restaurant Kitchen owner Janis Jenzis and an American chef and owner of the restaurant Tvaiks Karlis Roberts Celms. The jury, led by US Ambassador Pekala, decided to give the top prize to the Danish Dynamite team. Judging was done anonymously by evaluating each chili by aroma, appearance, taste and aftertaste.

Grand Hotel Palace team’s Suite Chili won People’s Choice Award determined by the public vote.

Winners received generous prizes from Dome Hotel & SPA Fish Restaurant, Hotel Bergs Restaurant, Grand Palace Hotel Suite Restaurant, Radisson Blu Hotel Latvia, ESPA Riga, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Pernord Ricard Latvia and restaurant Kitchen.
 
Berk Ozkan, who entered the contest together with his mom Bilgin Ozkan, Turkish Consul in Latvia, was awarded a special prize by Janis Jenzis as the bravest and youngest contestant.

Eight teams participated in this year’s Cook-Off including:

- Coca-Cola Hellenic Latvia team with Coca-Cola Happiness Chili
- The Caremobile team with Roadhouse Chili
- Danish Dynamite team from Danish Embassy with Chili Con Cliff
- The Drupa family team with Chuck Wagon Chili
- Exigen team with Chili Con Amor
- Fire of Anatolia team from Turkish Embassy with Etli Nohut Chili
- The Stampeding Stealys team from the US Embassy with Tavern Chili

A charity raffle to benefit the Care Mobile of RMHC Latvija was held during the event. Raffle prizes – tickets for opera performances Don Giovanni, L’elisir D’Amore, La Boheme, Four Worlds. Four Elements – were generously provided by the Latvian National Opera.
 
Media coverage:
Article by the Baltic Course on September 14, 2012

Member feedback:
Article by RMHC Latvija on September 15, 2012