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The first Cook Off was held in December 1994. It all got started by Mark Baker who lived in Venango at that time.
The High School had closed a year before and he wanted to have an event that could be attended by the entire community.
Mark did most of the set up for the Cook Off by himself with a little help from his friends and family. He wasn't sure
anyone would even bring any chilis that first year so he also prepared a roaster of chicken noodle soup. When the night
was over there were 17 entries and the event was a success. The next year he wanted to do it again but realised that
if it were to continue to be an annual event it must have a community organization take it over. Thats where the SAL
came into the picture. The SAL took over the duties of putting the event on in January 1996. The Cook Off has
grown over the years to be one of the annual events the town and nieghboring communities look forward to every year.
The SAL wanted each year to be better than the last so they began asking "special guests" to attend as judges.
First asked were local radio personalities from KOGA in Ogallala. Miss Nebraska was a special guest judge in 2000 and
Mrs Colorado in 2001. In 1999 Mrs Nebraska, Debbie Anstine, was one of our special guest judges and that started the
continuing appearance of Mrs Nebraska at all the Cook Offs since. Peggy Malzacher in 2000 and both Debra Gray Mrs Nebraska
2001 and Terri Krolikowski Mrs Nebraska 1988 in 2002. Kelly Smith Mrs Nebraska 2000 was scheduled to appear in 2001
but weather prevented her from attending
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Donations made possible from the Chili Cook Off
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Some of the things made possible by the Cook Off's success
- Donations to the Venango Fire Department for Fire Prevention Week
- Donations to the Venango Rescue Squad for EMS Week
- Donations to the Child Welfare Foundation
- Donations to American Legion for Boys State
- Donations of Spinoza Bears to hospitals
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Important Firsts
- December 1994: First Cook Off
- January 1996: SAL first sponsors Cook Off
- January 1999: First Appearance of first Mrs Nebraska
- January 2000: First Appearance of Miss Nebraska
- January 2001: First Appearance of Mrs Colorado
- January 2002: 2 Mrs Nebraskas attend Cook Off
- January 2004: First Appearance of Mrs Wyoming
Special Guest Judges
- 1998: KOGA Radio Personalities
- 1999: Debbie Anstine Mrs Nebraska 1998
- 2000: Peggy Malzacher Mrs Nebraska 1999 and Becky Smith Miss Nebraska 1999
- 2001: Rae Anne Smith Mrs Colorado 2000 and Kelly Smith Mrs Nebraska 2000 was unable to attend because
of weather
- 2002: Debra Gray Mrs Nebraska 2001 and Terri Krolikowski Mrs Nebraska 1988
- 2003: Sherri Ellsworth Mrs Nebraska 2002 and Emily Stark Mrs CO 2002
- 2004: Carmelita del la Guardia Mrs Nebraska 1st Runner up 2003, Elizabeth Cartmill, Mrs Colorado 2003,
Sherri Ellsworth, Mrs Nebraska 2002
- 2005: Susan Meyerle Mrs Nebraska 2004, Sheri Engstrom Mrs CO 2004, Shelby Thatcher Mrs WY 2004, Olivia
Angeloz Mrs Nebraska 2003 and Sheree Channel Mrs WY 2002
- 2006: Sharon Saltero Mrs Nebraska 2005 and Jessica Walbridge Mrs WY 2005
- 2007: Jennifer Bradley Mrs Nebraska 2006, Aimee McWilliams Mrs Wyoming 2006 and Marney Duckworth
Mrs Colorado 2006
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