445th AW chili cook-off raises funds for CFC

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The aroma of peppers, tomatoes and chili powder filled the air in and around Bldg. 4026 at the 445th Airlift Wing during the wing's annual Combined Federal Campaign Chili Cook-Off Oct. 27. The event raised $250 for CFC.

Farm Animal, Tex Mix, A Pinch of This, Pinch of That and Game Day were among the thirteen pots of chili in the competition. Staff Sgt. Ramon Ahrman, 445th Maintenance Squadron, entered two types of chili, Voodoo Chili and El Kabong and offered advice for fellow chili lovers.

"The key to a good pot of chili is fresh peppers such as habaneras and jalapenos," Ahrmans said.

Col. Roger Gallet, 445th Operations Group commander, Maj. Sean Handley, 445th Force Support Squadron, military personnel flight commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Aaron Mouser, 445th Maintenance Group superintendent, served as the judges.

For Handley, it was his first time judging such an event.

"I felt honored to be asked to judge the chili cook-off. Everyone involved did a great job. There was a wide variety of spices and heat. There was one that was called Very Spicy and indeed it was!" Handley said.

The winner of the competition was Tech. Sgt. Leslie Lovegrove, 87th Aerial Port Squadron, with her white chicken chili.

"There was a good variety of pots of chili for this competition. It would be great if next time they would let the audience help pick a favorite," said Senior Master Sgt. Roger Holfinger, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who entered his medium beef/sausage chili.