Spillimacheen – Spilli Chilli Cook-Off
June 17, 2009In the summer, the tiny village of Spillimacheen, near Golden, hosts its annual Spilli Chilli cook-off, a day full of wonderful sights, smells, tastes, and sounds. Artists and craftspeople from the local community set up tables to display their works, while musicians from up and down the valley come on stage and treat the crowd to an afternoon of fantastic music. The main attraction, of course, is the big cook-off, where cooks from all levels compete to become the year’s chilli champion. The only rule is that the chilli be cooked on-site; other than this, competitors are free to try anything! Previous culinary masterpieces have included everything from beef to more exotic combinations of mango and rhubarb. Prizes are donated by local businesses, and everyone who takes part receives a small gift. The event is free, but anyone willing to donate a dollar receives a tasting cup and spoon, a judging ballet, and a ticket for the raffle draw door prize. Talk about value!
There is also a hot dog and hamburger booth for anyone suffering from chilli overload, and games to keep the children occupied. Visitors are invited to camp overnight on the night prior, with a potluck campfire supper and music at the Spillimacheen festival grounds.
The event was created in January 1995 by Nola and Dennis Alt, apparently during a bout of winter “cabin fever” (their words!). Longing for a nice sunny day filled with good music and simmering pots of hot, hot chilli, they set out to create the first Spilli Chilli cook-off. This turned outto be difficult because no one in the area had ever heard of a chilli cook-off, much less planned or attended one! But other residents in the community, likely afflicted by their own bouts of winter cabin fever, responded with enthusiasm and cooperation. Their friend Cliff Birney wrote a song just for the event, and somehow convinced a few guitar players from the area to join him in performing it. A makeshift stage was set up on the flatbed trailer for the event, and other musicians from the valley to display their talent. A fun time was had by all!
Since then, the event has moved and continued to grow: in 2001, long-time Spillimacheen resident Frances Dunne offered to host the event on a gorgeous, treed site just off the highway for a minimum of ten years. A permanent stage was completed in 2004, with head of construction Will Wardwell being tricked into unveiling it – and consequently discovering that it was named after him!
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