The Second Annual Gran Sultana Chili Cook-off was held Jan. 29 in Granada and was a huge success. You would not think chili is a popular food item in the tropics but the competition drew people from as far away as Managua, Gran Pacifica and Montecristo. Perhaps it is not that surprising the interest in chili in a country where restaurants often have a bottle of hot chili sauce next to the salt and pepper. Locals add the hot sauce to everything from salads to hamburgers.

The competition was intensely hot and the recipes varied from mild to “OMG I can’t feel my tongue anymore.” There were 14 contestants showing their culinary skills, many of them local Granada restaurants. Types of chilies included chocolate, smoked meat, chicken, beef, sausage, pork and some flavors we did not recognize due to the contestant not wanting to reveal their secret ingredients.

Chili Cook-off drew a big crowd

Over 100 people attended the affair paying a donation that allowed them to sample all of the chilies washing it down (or cooling down) with a beer, wine or soft drink. Sampling 14 types of chili will remove quite a few taste buds. Once their sense of taste returned they also enjoyed some great desserts. Though a difficult task, a panel of judges picked out the first and second place winners. Attendees could also vote for their favorite chili by making additional donations for their favorite chili.

First place went to Janice Gallagher, with her smoked-meat chili, while second place went to John Gallagher, with his chocolate chili. The striking difference of their respective entries just goes to show that a couple may share their bed but not their chili recipes. The people’s choice award went to Helen Korengold.

The chili cook-off was another example of the growing community activities in Nicaragua with many expats, tourists and locals attending. It was an opportunity to spend a Sunday afternoon talking about anything and everything, perhaps making some new friends and listening to some good music. The live music was provided by local artists Jim Lynch and Deloy Oberlin. Next January will be an even bigger event. Be sure to watch for it.

Our thanks go to the contending local restaurants Las Artistas, Los Chocoyos, La Hacienda, Euro Café, Garden Café and O’Shea’s and also to the individual contestants Janice Gallagher, Helen Korengold, Amy Bushnell, John Marc Gallagher, Carol Rea and James the Irishman. Also, thanks to the many people that helped make this happen.

All donations went to the benefit of the Puedo Leer library organization. Biblioteca Puedo Leer was created in response to a community need in Granada for a public lending library focused on the needs of children. Since 2004, it has grown from an informal collection of books to a district wide literacy program with three library locations, twice monthly book deliveries to 24 Granada area schools, teacher trainings and nationwide collaborations with the Nicaragua Ministry of Education, and Nicaraguan and International NGOs.

PUEDO LEER is a lending library open to the public, with a main focus on promoting reading and a love of reading among children, so that they can become lifelong learners, succeed academically and ultimately be instrumental in raising standards of education and literacy in Nicaragua. Puedo Leer endeavors to investigate and develop any and all activities that will bring the discovery of reading to the children. The libraries also become community centers for the children where they can do their homework, play games and associate with others.

When Nicaragua children begin their schooling, many have never experienced the delight of having a story read to them. Reading for pleasure is almost nonexistent. Public schools lack story books and young students rarely receive their own textbooks. We are beginning to see reading become a pleasure in many children’s lives.

For more information on Puedo Leer or if you wish to help by volunteering, please contact Carol Rea at carolannrea@me.com.