AUBURN – The first Lewiston-Auburn Chili and Chowder Cook-Off was held March 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn to benefit Longley School of Lewiston. Twenty local restaurants and food preparation establishments competed – some served only chili or chowder, but many opted to serve both.

The contenders were: Central Maine Community College, Nancy Couture and Don Rossignol; Clover Health Care Nutritional Service, Diane Lawler; Culinary Institute of America, Jackie Conlogue; Davinci’s Eatery, Jules Patry; Eli’s Restaurant, Robert Bowie; Gipper’s Sports Grill, Bob Morin; Governor’s Restaurant, Steve Miller; Hilton Garden Inn, Dana Jones; Just Joan’s, Dan Pelletier.

Also, Lewiston Regional Technical Center Culinary Arts-Cafe, Dan Caron; Lewiston High School Nutritional Services, Michael Sanborn; Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant, Holly Mireault; Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub, Ray Davis and Mike Ginty; Ramada Inn/Dudley’s Restaurant, Jon Thibeau; Rolly’s Diner, Ken Blais; South of the Border Mexican Restaurant, Joanne Teacutter; Sysco Foods, Fern Langlois; Village Inn Restaurant, Michael Vallee; Youly’s Family Restaurant, Dan Briggs; and Zahlys International, Zahid Ahmed.

Besides an array of chowders and chilis to sample, ticket holders found pastries and breads produced by the students of the Lewiston Regional Technical Center Culinary Art’s-Cafe. Beverages were also available.

A panel of judges was directed by Chef Charles Izzi. The judges included Simonne Audet, Mark Burnes, Steve Costello, Peter Geiger, Mayor Lionel Guay, Mayor Norm Guay, Jody Jalbert, Sheryl Mathews, Sen. Peggy Rotundo, Christine Schwartz and Rich Willing. Judges were asked to rate three categories on a scale of one through 10: texture, color and taste.

Ticket holders (about 280 tickets were collected at the door) were also asked to vote for their favorite chili and chowder.

The results are as follows:

People’s Choice Awards for Best Tasting Chili: Gold went to Ken Blais of Rolly’s Diner; silver, Lorraine Perite, Davinci’s.

Judge’s Awards for Best Chili: Gold, Dan Pelletier of Just Joan’s; silver, Mike Sanborn of Lewiston High School Nutritional Services.

People’s Choice Awards for Best Tasting Chowder: Gold, Michael Vallee of the Village Inn; silver, Peter Despres of Youly’s.

Judge’s Awards for Best Chowder: Gold, Dan Briggs of Youly’s; silver, Michael Vallee of the Village Inn.

The cook-off was a benefit event with all proceeds, more than $3,000, going to Longley School in Lewiston. The cook-off is being planned again for March 2005. Any business interested in entering its chili or chowder recipe next year should contact Dan Caron at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center. Ticket sales will be handled by Longley School.