Neighbors repeat as Maplewood Chili Cookoff champions

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Jennifer Grady and Jim McDuffee are neighbors who got together and used Grady’s expertise with spices and McDuffee’s knowledge of meats to win the meat category of the Maplewood Chili Cook Off for the second year in a row. Their chili was called Hank Chilliams Jr. and featured smoked brisket.

Last year, they won with a recipe they called Chili Nelson. The kids winners were Lucas Tarry and Ali McCracken. The winning vegetable chili was Extreme Vegetative State by Michael Schwartz and Bob Liano. The event raises money for the MEND Hunger Relief Network of Essex County.

In the meat category

First Place: James McDuffee and Jennifer Grady for their Hank Chiliams Jr. Chili
Second Place: Jermain Hatcher for Come Catch a Vibe Too
Third Place: Chetan Vijayvergiya for Texas Holy Mole
Fourth Place: Gene Mollica and Dael Oates for Man Eater Chili
Fifth Place: Jeff Wolfe for Barnstormer Chili

In the vegetarian category
First Place: Michael Schwartz and Bob Liano for their Extreme Vegetative State
Second Place: Kelly McKesten for All My Friends
Third Place: Brendan Cunningham and Wendy Harris for Jackfruit Chili Verde

Kids Winners
Lucas Tarry and Ali McCracken

  Chili Cookoff, Maplewood