J.T. Turner, winner of the chili cook-off for the third time, really got into some side dish action at Sunday’s Chili Cook-off to benefit the Gasparilla island Maritime Museum.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - When 12 boats headed out into Boca waters for the Whidden’s Back Bay Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 18 they weren’t just there to benefit the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum. They were also paying tribute to several fishing loved ones lost.

Held in honor of the memories of Midge Calahan, Barbara Chatham, John Bottjer, Mary Alice King, Joe Sturgess and Paula Johnson, three boats took kudos for first and second place after an action-packed tie between two boats.

 

First place went to the team of Capt. Roger Crafton, Charlie Tyler and Michele Strauss, who received $800. Second place was a tie. The teams were Capt. Mark Liberman and Dave McHugh, and Capt. Sandy Melvin and Michael Vaughn. Each team took home $200 after splitting the second place prize money.

All wins were based on total weight.

The number one female angler of the day was Becky Paterson, and second place female angler was Michele Strauss.

The first place male angler was Dave McHugh.

Capt. Willie Mills’ team had the most releases.

Capt. Crafton also received the captain’s award, a sculpture donated by Stuart Hoeckel.

The tournament was sponsored by the Boca Beacon and Italiano Insurance, and prizes were also donated by Dolphin Cove, Boca Grande Outfitters, Fine Things/Serendipity Gallery, Fugate’s, Courtyard Hair, The Temp, PJ’s Seagrille, Hudson’s Grocery, Newlins Mainely Gourmet and Barbara Anne’s Jewelry.

Later in the day the Pirate Coast Chili Cook-off was held in a brand-new tent on the grounds of Whidden’s Marina. There were 14 chilis and 15 side dishes to be tasted, a true hardship for those that attended.

In the end, it was J.T. Turner’s third win with his turducken chili. The head chef’s record is rivaled only by Reggie Norman’s. Reggie has won the cook-off twice.

The side dish competition was won by Connie Gregg for her German chocolate cake.

“We had a great time, and it was well attended,” said Dave Arner, who sits on the Maritime Museum board and was an organizer of the event. “It was a good day for the museum.”

In all $6,250 was raised for the GIMM.

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