Yellow Deli Double Winner At Chili Fest

The Yellow Deli’s chili won double honors Sunday, Feb. 6, at the UCCCA’s Chili Bowl:  first place in both the Firemen’s Choice and People’s Choice categories.
In Firemen’s Choice, judged by City of Oneonta firefighters, Holiday Inn’s Rex Smith came in second, and Jim Verrelli third.
In People’s Choice, Hartwick College’s Bob Eklund was second, and ISD’s Clayton Sutherland third.
The turnout was “definitely a record,” said Linda McKenzie Ranc, who chairs the UCCCA board of directors.
Although she was still awaiting final numbers, she said 100 of the $10 bowls were “gone within an hour,” and people were still paying $10 admission to sample the goodies.  At day’s end, only one $15 bowl was left.
Two more chili makers than last year participated – 14 instead of 12 – and, even then, the food was depleted, Ranc said.
The most unusual entries were being spooned out by David Hayes:  One was buffalo, which is somewhat common, and the other – alligator.
The UCCCA’s next offering is a “Living Art” tattoo show 7-10 p.m. Friday, April 7.

Oneonta downtown coordinator David Hayes serves up alligator chili, devised by Damian Price, a chef at SUNY Oneonta.  He was also serving Floyd Strobeck’s buffalo chili.