Chili for two?

Pregnant woman judges Big Lake fest cook-off

Sept. 18, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

BIG LAKE -- Jennifer Kuyper was all dimples Saturday as she examined crock pots full of chili sitting on a table at the Big Lake Fall Festival.

Kuyper, a seven-months-pregnant Anchorage resident, said she brought a Nalgene bottle full of water because she was judging 14 varieties of chili in the festival's third-annual chili cook-off.

"I don't know if I count as two judges or just one," she laughed, rubbing her belly in small circles.

The panel of judges also included Big Lake residents Jim Faiks, pastor Ed Blocker and state Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Mat-Su. They sampled the chili recipes at the lakeside pavilion on the property of Sunset View B & B Resort.

For Kuyper and her husband, Kris, the fall festival was their weekend family outing. The Kuypers' son is due Dec. 9. They plan to name him Dylan, Kris said.

Kris has judged two cook-offs in California, but this was Jennifer's first time critiquing chili.

Neuman said he usually enters his chili in the cook-off, but this year he chaired the parade committee and didn't have time to spend in the kitchen Saturday morning.

He thought providing a parade for residents as part of the fall festival had the potential to bring the community together. In Neuman's private life, cooking brings his household together.

"Cooking for us is a family event," he said, adding that his kids, Matthew, 16, and Amanda, 15, help out in the kitchen.

The judges filled out paperwork for every recipe -- describing aroma, consistency, taste and aftertaste of each concoction. Lastly, subjective response was another category.

"I love spicy foods; and I think my baby does, too. After I first start eating, he'll move around. He likes sweet food," Jennifer said. "I was watching the Food Channel about chili contests. The chili was made with bittersweet chocolate. It was a Tuscan recipe."

Houston resident Laura Levra stood outside the pavilion watching her 4-year-old son, Miles. She said this was her first time at this event.

"I wish I liked chili," Levra said.

The judges awarded first place for no-bean chili to Mike Garner of Chugiak; first place for "open-season" chili to Pat O'Donohue of Wasilla and first-place people's choice to Henrietta Provost and Freda Adams of Houston.

As Kuyper finished her 14th cup of chili, she was asked if her baby was kicking yet. "He's being really mellow," she said. "I think the chili has a calming effect on him."