Airman organizes chili cook-off in Baghdad
Posted : Thursday Mar 11, 2010 17:50:11 EST
While preparing for her second deployment to Iraq, Air Force Capt. Roxzanna Ponce De Leon went to the Terlingua International Chili Championship in Texas.
A light bulb went off: Ponce De Leon thought she and her fellow service members should have a similar event after she arrived in Baghdad.
It was a good idea on paper, but she’d forgotten a few details: for instance, ground beef, broth, bullion, tomato sauce, cookstoves, propane bottles, sample cups and other essential cook-off ingredients weren’t available at Sather Air Base.
But Ponce De Leon didn’t give up easily. She contacted the Chili Appreciation Society International in the U.S. and explained her idea. The society mobilized its members and soon, 200 pounds of meat, as well as chili spices, sauce, broth, cups and other supplies were on their way to Iraq.
The cook-off is scheduled for April 4.
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