Clayton Gathers For Chili Cook Off

Eighteen contestants put their chili recipes to the test at the annual Clayton Club Saloon Chili Cook Off on Sunday afternoon.

Owner Steve Barton, with his partner, Dennis Mitchell, have hosted the Chili Cook Off for four years. The Clayton Club was packed with contestants and spectators enjoying the atmosphere and, of course, the chili.

A cash prize of $300 was given to the winners, Concord residents Clint and Missy White. Second place and $200 went to Ryan and Jennifer Lowe and third, along with $100, was taken home by father and son Vaughn and V.K. Sobajian of Clayton.

“This is a social event for us,” said Barton, who oversaw the cook off as the master of ceremonies. “It’s as much for the spectators as it is for the participants.”

Three of the most well-known people in Clayton were judges: Police Chief Dan Lawrence, Vice Mayor Howard Gellar and Bob Steiner, owner of the .

Before the winners were announced, the contestants' crock pots were set up in a semi-circle on what is usually the club's dance floor.

According to Gellar, the dishes were judged on aroma, color, taste and spiciness. He joked that winners were decided with a coin toss. 

The Lowes, second-place winners, have lived in Clayton only a year. They learned of the cook off last year on the day it was held, coincidentally, on their wedding anniversary and birthday (yes, their birthdays and wedding anniversary are on the same day).

“It just made more sense to get married on the same day as both our birthdays. Jennifer Lowe said. "We can do all our celebrating in one day.”

After the ribbons and prizes were handed out, the chili bar was open. The line formed quickly as patrons moved in for a taste. By late afternoon, the chili was polished off and the annual cook off came to a close.

The Clayton Club will host its next food contest this summer — the annual Rib Cook Off in August.