Kukainu team wins Best Chili in Riga 2023

Oct 26, 2023

Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town, Grēcinieku 25

Kukainu team, represented by Janis Kukainis and Amy Hellkamp made their Kukaiņu Chili a winner at the 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off hosted by AmCham on October 26 at Hilton Garden Inn Old Town Riga. The people’s choice award determined by the public vote went to the Riga Graduate School of Law team for their Legally Chilly.

The Kukainu team received the title Best Chili Riga 2023 and a special Chili Pepper Trophy.

2nd place was awarded to Chompin Chili Champions team represented by Amanda Romey and Jason Romey for their Chili Chili Bang Bang. The Annie Bea’s Chili team represented by John Tully, Martin Tully, Laura Dabare and Peteris Priede received the 3rd place with their Annie Bea’s Chili.

The jury consisted of expert chili tasters and professional chefs: Julia Jacoby, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Denis Gorshkov and Justin Bancroft, winners of the Best Chili in Riga 2022, Richard Johnson, Owner and Chef at Stockpot and Deniss Ivankovs, Board member of the Latvian Chefs’ Club.

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

Annie Bea’s Chili team: John Tully, Martin Tully, Laura Dabare and Peteris Priede with Annie Bea’s Chili
Cognizant Dynamic Duo team: Renate Zakutajeva and Jelena Smirnova with Best chili ever
Latvia Tours team: Ieva Keisa and Pauls Gusts with High Season special chili
Freedom Flame team: Karlis Cerbulis and Inga Cerbule with Darn Good Inga's Chili
Riga Graduate School of Law team: Katrina Daugule and Alise Podniece with Legally Chilly
Chili Champion Collective team: Kristine Daktere and Peter Giessmann with Chili Lovers Choice
Chompin Chili Champions team: Amanda Romey and Jason Romey with Chili Chili Bang Bang
Amos team: Annemarija Linaresa with Hot Mama Chili
Kukaiņu team: Janis Kukainis and Amy Hellkamp with Kukaiņu Chili
Home Chefs team: Linda Kaziniece and Martins Kazinieks with Slow cooked Chili with beer