'2nd-Chance Chili' Takes the Crown at Chatsworth's Pioneer Day Cook-Off

Matt Jones defeated all comers Sunday to win bragging rights, $50 and a trophy for the best chili at the Chatsworth Pioneer Day cook-off.

"This is only the second time I've ever made chili," the former Chatsworth resident told Patch. The first time was last year when he took second place in the competition.

He's never made chili at his home in Huntington Beach. But his "2nd-Chance Chili," beat last year's Los Angeles Fire Department champs and entries from the police department, Kiwanis, and nearly a dozen other competitors.

In second place this year was Loreli Buda, and third place went to Terri Loth.

So what is his recipe? "It's a secret," he said. But it may be a secret because "It's a little bit of this and a little bit of that," he confessed.

But Jones was willing to share the contents of his chili pot:

• Pork
• Beef
• Green bell peppers
• Jalapeño peppers
• Habañero peppers
• White and green onions
• Chili powder
• Lager beer
• Salt and pepper

Hmmmm... maybe the secret is the beer.

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