Susan Fusco
More than 100 people crowded into the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center on the evening of January 24. They came for the food and fun that always result from a Villas II special event. This time it was the 2018 Soup and Chili Cook-off. Residents were familiar with the competition, having experienced a Villas Chili Cook-off judged by the Golder Ranch Fire Company some years back. Since that time, the competitors have fought it out each year over their soup pots. 2018 found them cooking up both chili and soups, with 19 entries in the running.
The Villas Social Committee, which sponsored the event, enlisted the services of 11 resident judges, who tasted each of the entries and kept score, eliminating all but the final three. During the judging, attendees enjoyed salad and rolls, and at the conclusion of judging they were invited to sample the soups and chilis, followed by cake for dessert.
The last part of the evening a raffle drawing was held, with plenty of cash prizes. Table centerpieces were created by Bucky Crabb, and those, too, were raffled off. Finally, the winners of the competition were announced. Third place went to Jo Parsons for her Di Grazia Chili, and second place went to Ted Johnson for his Asparagus Potato Soup. The big winner was Neva Speas, who won first prize for her Italian Sausage with Tortellini Soup. The winners were awarded beautiful aprons made and donated by Bucky Crabb.
The SaddleBrooke One Activity Center will again be the scene of February’s Villas II event, an Italian Dinner, hosted by the Social Committee.