Cookoff raises funds for AFAF
By Staff Sgt. Matthew McGovern, 60th AMW Public Affairs
/ Published February 17, 2006
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
The 60th Maintenance Group hosted a chili cookoff Monday in Hangar P1 to raise funds for the Air Force Assistance Fund.
Over 300 people attended the event and approximately 60 people donated their chili.
“The cookoff was a success and we had great participation,” said Master Sgt. David Smeeth, coordinator for the event.
The chili cookoff started with each group from the 60th AMW getting their chili judged by their respective commanders. The winner from each group then competed for the 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander’s vote.
“There was a wide variety of chili. There was meatless, pork, beef, turkey and sausage to name a few,” said Sergeant Smeeth.
The winner was Master Sgt. Jack Lemons, a boom operator with the 6th Air Refueling Squadron. Sergeant Lemons said he changed his main ingredient from regular Bratwurst to spicy Bratwurst for the cook off. “My wife and I experimented with various ingredients to come up with the recipe,” he said.
“With so many types of chili, there was a chili for everyone,” said Sergeant Smeeth. “When you get 60 different people from all over the world, it makes for a wide variety of chili.”
“I’d like to thank the people that cooked the chili, and shared it with the public,” Sergeant Smeeth said.
“Chili is like beauty, it’s in the eye of the beholder,” said Col. Scott Hanson, 60th AMW vice commander and final judge of the chili.
The event raised more than $1,500 for the AFAF foundations.
The AFAF committee also sponsored a bowling tournament at Travis Bowl Monday night. More than 170 participants filled all 32 lanes at the bowling center and raised more than $1,000 for the AFAF.
Proceeds from these two events will be evenly distributed to the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Village Indigent Widows’ Fund and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation.