Visitors celebrate 15 years of chili at Skip’s European Farmers Market

Throughout her time as being the judge for Skip’s annual chili cook-off, Nora Duffy, a real estate broker out of New Buffalo, has tasted lots of chili.

“She’s done it every year – she’s probably tried at least 150 chilis out,” Rhonda Sobecki, owner/partner at Skip’s Restaurant and Catering, said.

The cook-off marked its 15th year Sunday, Oct. 10, which also marked the closing of the 13th annual Skip’s European Farmers Market.

This year’s line-up of chili competitors was Beer Church Brewing Co (former champion), New Buffalo Township Fire Department (former champion), Berrien County Sheriff’s Department (former champion), Kettring and Company featuring father-daughter duo Darrel and Eryka Leigh Kettring (former champion), Three Oaks EMS

(former champion), The Strand Brewery & Kitchen, Cooper’s Corner, Dick’s Bar, first-time competitor Eddie O’Bradovich (Team Drinko), farmers Chris Hebron and Marcial Kajer, John Swanstrom from Deer Creek Hunt Club, and Skip’s Restaurant & Catering.

First place for the Judge’s Award went to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department (who also managed to clinch third place in the People’s Choice division), who thanked Skip’s in a Facebook post for “supporting and donating ingredients to the New Buffalo Township Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office” for their chili. Second place was awarded to Kettring and Company and third place went to Beer Church Brewing Co.

Judges were Duffy; Charles Smith, a baker; Deborah Strefling, also a baker; and Michael Swietlik, a farmer at Twin Maple Orchards.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Darrel Kettring, who was there with Eryka as well as Alice and Clare, said that he was a veteran at the chili cook-off.

“We’ve only missed one year,” he said of the Kettring team.

This year’s chili featured a confluence of pork and bacon flavors, with some Louisiana hot sauce – as well as a “secret ingredient” – thrown into the mix.

Chili tasters were invited to vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice division.

Winner of the People’s Choice Award went to Chris Hebron and Marcial Kajer with their Farmers Chili, which featured Hebron Farms meat and vegetables, Kajers Green vegetables, J2K cheese and Mattawan yogurt. Second place went to Eddie O’Bradovich (Team Drinko) and third place was the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.

Sobecki said the event always packs “lots of fun” into one day, seeing as how it’s the market’s last day of the season.

“It’s always a well-attended event,” she said.

The market itself was celebrating another successful season in Harbor Country.

“We cannot complain honestly - with the way things have been, there’re no complaints,” Sobecki said.

The market was particularly popular last year, as members of the public could gather outside safely while still enjoying themselves at a fun activity.

This year, Sobecki said they chose to keep the market “smaller than normal,” with between 30 to 35 vendors every week.

“The more you get, the more duplication you get, and we don’t like to duplicate except in produce because it’s a mix,” she said.

She added that Skip’s also hit “record sales” last year and this year with their grill outside on the patio. Like last year, Skip’s will continue to do “pop up” grills throughout the fall, such as on a Sunday, with a fire pit outside.

Skip’s European Farmers Market features a variety of fresh and handcrafted items, such as herbs, cut flowers for a table arrangement, coffee, organic produce, cheeses, pastries, breads, Italian sausages, handtrimmed restaurant-grade beef, meat rubs, jams, jellies, salsas, art, jewelry, and clothing.

The market will be returning for its 14th season in May 2022.

Skip’s Restaurant and Catering is located at 16710 Lake Shore Rd. in New Buffalo.

The crowd enjoys chili under the tent Chris Hebron and Marcial Kajer serve up their Farm Chili

Kristin Robbins and Nick Magro from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department with their Judge’s Award First Place trophy