Torres chops competition at chili cook-off fundraiser

WASILLA — Denali Harley-Davidson hosted its inaugural chili cook-off competition at the Wasilla shop Saturday with the help of 49th State Street Rodders. With 12 entries and 75 judges, dozens of hot rods and 100 motorcycles driving through, the competition made a sizable splash for its first try. It was a fundraising event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was able to raise more than $2,000. There was even a guest appearance by Kennedy Torres, Wasilla’s own Chopped JR 2016 winner.

According to Fred Becker, General Manager for Denali Harley-Davidson, the event was “very successful,” drawing more than 100 people. Becker said that five people showed up strictly to donate to Make-A-Wish and three or four families had a personal connection with Make-A-Wish. He also noted how the weather turning from rain to sun really helped the turnout.

John Troutner, president of 49th State Street Rodders, was there, cooking on the Rodders’ famous giant grill, serving free hot dogs, hamburgers and soda. Troutner said he spent many years in his youth cooking professionally. He was a one-man show, serving up meals and working the crowd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“He really helped out a lot,” Becker said.

Troutner concocted his own chili creation with the fiery intent to win, even against the undaunted Torres. When he met Torres, he said, “so, you’re the one I’ve got to beat,” to which she replied, “no, I’m the one you’re going to lose to.”

“She was very confident,” said Becker.

Torres’s chili won by a “landslide” with more votes than any other chili combined and was “by far, the best.” Torres said she made an “all-meat chili” using ingredients like moose meat, chunks of pork, bacon, onions, and garlic. She admitted to using canned beans, which would most likely dismay Troutner since he soaked his beans overnight.

“She’s a sharp kid; she’s a natural. She’s used to dealing with bucket-mouthed adults like us,” Troutner said.

Torres is 11 years old and has been cooking for four years. She said she was inspired by the Pioneer Woman, an award-winning chef on the Food Network. This is where Torres acquires most of her recipes. Torres said her mom Rosy wants her to write them all down in her cookbook but Torres said she just “memorizes them.”

“I’m very competitive. I have four siblings and we’re all very competitive. We don’t like losing,” Torres said.

In 2016, Torres was able to compete in Chopped JR, the child version of the televised cooking competition. It was her Alaskan edge that got the show’s attention. Torres presented her recipe for “porcupine tacos.” She heard back the next day and flew down to the Lower 48 to compete on national television.

“It was really cool. I didn’t think much of it. My family was more excited than I was,” Torres said.

She said that unlike the other kids, who were running around, she kept her cool, walked and focused on cooking.

Torres won the competition and received $10,000 and a chef’s coat. She said she only wanted the special chef’s coat and the money was a “bonus.” She used some of the money to buy a watermelon-colored Kitchen Aid, a stand up mixer from Allen and Petersen Cooking and Appliance Center in Anchorage. She also wants to use the money to go to Disneyland in April. She may be competing next year in the champion’s round and will find out by December. She said it takes a lot of practice to learn how to cook well.

“I’ve made a ton of mistakes. I used to burn things all the time when I first started cooking,” Torres said. “I still can’t make toast. I still burn it.”

Torres will be a judge at the Alaska State Fair Kids’ Cooking Contest. On Sept. 9, she will also teach a cooking class at Allen and Petersen, where she will demonstrate how to make chicken alfredo and her chocolate chunk, pretzel cookies from Chopped JR.

Torres is homeschooled. She tried public school but “didn’t like waking up early.” She cooks dinner for the family every night and even when her mom tries, she said she ends up taking over. She likes to cook everything, especially pasta.

“I just like cooking. I do it for fun, like when I’m bored,” Torres said.

She also shops for herself, often asking for specific ingredients and delegates when she goes shopping with her mom.

“She just pushes the cart and I tell her to follow me,” Torres said.

Becker hopes to host another chili cook-off next year, making it an annual event. Becker and Troutner want next year to be even bigger, with double the donation total. Troutner especially wants to have another chili battle against Torres again.

“I told her I want a rematch,” Troutner said.