By David A. Sargent,Special to the Sun Journal

LEWISTON – Chefs of the L-A area squared off Wednesday for the second annual Chili and Chowder Taste Challenge, and organizers said it surpassed all expectations.

The Ramada Conference Center ballroom was filled with serving stations from 27 restaurants and food services and several hundred ticket purchasers sampled all kinds of chili and chowder at each location. People’s choice balloting gave The Green Ladle (Lewiston Regional Technical Center’s culinary arts program) top honors for chili, with Youly’s Family Restaurant in Turner coming in second. Lewiston Middle School’s food services won top honors on the people’s ballot for chowder, and The Green Ladle took second place.

The judges’ rankings were gold to Village Inn, Auburn, for their chowder, and silver went to The Green Ladle. Village Inn moved up to the top chowder spot from a second place ranking last year.

The judges’ gold award for chili went to Eggcettera of Mechanic Falls and the silver went to Governor’s Restaurant, Lewiston.

A new award was given this year for display. The Green Ladle also took the gold in this category, and Rolly’s Diner, Auburn, was second.

In addition to their chili and chowder, the LRTC students also provided a table with pastries and cheese stuffed breads, as well as braided, pepperoni, herb, garlic and cornbreads with selections of sun-dried tomato butter and Dijon mustard butter.

The Green Ladle’s entries got a glowing recommendation from Tony Atlas, a former Mr. USA and regional wrestling promoter.

“I’ve been all over the world and that’s probably one of the best chowders I’ve had,” Atlas said. It was a sauted seafood chowder in bchamel sauce. His favorite chili was from the South of the Border Mexican Restaurant in Lewiston.

There were lots of other winners of raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing, but the students of Gov. James B. Longley Elementary School are ultimately the big winners. The event benefits the downtown Lewiston school by augmenting the school budget. Proceeds will go for enrichment programs, activities, field trips and equipment.

“It has been awesome,” said Linda Adkins, sixth-grade teacher at Longley School and chairwoman of the event. “This is only our second one and we have surpassed last year big time,” she said.

Adkins noted that she saw extraordinary community support for this year’s Chili and Chowder Taste Challenge. Teachers donated many items for the raffle baskets, and Adkins said there were a lot of unsolicited calls from people with further donations.

Adkins said last year’s taste event was invitational, and this year it took on a more competitive nature. She said there were six or seven additional restaurants or services participating, and they all take a lot of pride in serving their best.

“The winners will be displaying and advertising their awards for the whole year,” she said.

Dan Caron, director of LRTC Culinary Arts program, and Katrina Liguori, education technician, were instrumental in organizing participation of the chefs for the event each year.

Caron said next year’s event is already being planned.

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