NEW BUFFALO — The 19th annual Skip’s Chili Cook-off filled the big tent next to the final European Farmers Market New Buffalo of 2025 on Sunday, Oct. 12.
Dan and Laura Chmelina of Team Chili Dog were named the best entry by this year’s distinguished judges (St. Joseph County Superior Court 3 Judge Jeff Sanford; Retired LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor Atley Price; Food Scientist Harry Hausoul; and Mr. Paul Lawson).
“This is our first chili cook-off,” Dan said.
“And we’ve never won a family chili cook-off for the last eight years,” Laura added.
Second place honors went to Sonny D’s New Buffalo (another first-year participant), while Hebron Farms with Chris and Michelle Hebron was judged third best.
“Very happy to be here, it’s a great turnout and we’re hoping to come back next year,” said Alec Purcell of Sonny D’s.
At the conclusion of the Chili Cook-off festivities, votes of those taste testing from noon to 4 p.m. resulted in the following People’s Choice Awards: First Place – Chef Alyssa Brake with Farm Chefs; Second Place – John Conlin representing the Bridgman Fire Department; Third Place – Barndogg.
Back for the 18th time was the Chicago Bears-themed Kettring & Company table (the father-daughter team of Eryka and Darrel Kettring).
“We only missed one because my dad was on a work trip,” Erika said, adding that normally they listen to the Bears on the radio during the cook-off, but this time their favorite team plays Monday night.
“We’re not missing the game this year,” she added (the Bears ended up edging Washington the next evening).
Dining and Cooking