Kay Costello of Kay’s Gringo Postres, in the western Central Valley town of Atenas, is already cooking up plans for next year’s Charity Chili Championship, to be held Feb. 13 at Finca Rosa Vista in Barrio Mercedes. The contest promises to be lots of fun, with international competition from the U.S. state of Texas and a Queen Contest, throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is the fourth year Kay’s Gringo Postres has hosted the competition, which began when customers bragged about their chili and Kay told them to put it to a test. Customers choose a chili winner by secret bean ballot, depositing (dry) beans in numbered cups.
The cost is ₡3,000 (about $6) for aspiring chili champions and queens, and ₡1,500 ($3) for the chili champion voting public. Proceeds will go to help Hogar de Vida, a Child Welfare Office (PANI) sponsored shelter for children in Atenas. For contestant information, call Kay at her restaurant, pastry shop and book exchange at 2446-0664 during daytime hours, or at 2446-4136.
