To the Editor:

A big thank you to all contestants and guests who contributed to such a great event, the Chili/Chowder/Soup Cook-Off.

What a crowd we had! About 300 visitors packed the room where 14 professionals and amateurs brought the best chilis and soups we ever tasted. The event was so successful that some competitors ran out of food.

We would like to acknowledge and thank many other contributors:

Cellist Charlene Ledoux and Barry Poitras, Susie Collins and Tom Black with their group Brookline Acoustic Jammers, who entertained us during the entire event.

The Friends of the Brookline Library for bringing enough treats to line two tables with cookies and brownies for all attendees to enjoy.

Ron and Kathie Pelletier for setting up the Brookline Event Center.

The Hollis-Brookline Rotary and Brookline Lions clubs for assisting with the judging.

Copper Door and T-Bones, professionals and amateur competitors who donated gift certificates and other great prizes for the raffle.

We had a panel of three judges and People’s Choice votes to decide between the participants. Voting for first place in each category (no chowder this year) was a hard decision, as everything sampled was absolutely amazing.

Congratulations to the first-place winners:

Judges and People’s Choice mixed:

Best Soup: Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant with their Tortilla Cheese Soup.

Best Chili: Bailey’s Restaurant with their Alamo Smoked Brisket Chili.

People’s Choice alone:

Best Soup: Chef Reid Services with their Creamy Tomato Soup with Basil, Bacon & Parmesan.

Best Chili: Bailey’s Restaurant with Alamo Smoked Brisket Chili.

Lastly, thank you to the members of the Brookline Economic Development Committee who helped with the organization of the cook-off and made it such a great event.

We are looking forward to another successful event next year. See you in 2017!

Valerie Rearick, town planner

Brookline Economic Development