Southgate Engineer's Chili 'Occupies' Page's Chili Cook Off

Count the winner of Sunday's 17th Annual Chili Cook Off at in Farmington among the 1 percent. 

Southgate resident Mark Rockwell said he named his entry "Occupy Chili", because "one percent of chili chefs make 99 percent of the chili worth eating." His breakfast-inspired chicken chili stood out among 11 entries, winning unanimous approval from contest judges. 

Rockwell said he has entered previous competitions and learned about the Page's event in the Detroit Free Press. Having done chili the usual way, he decided to look at cooking chicken chili and what he might do with it.

"Chickens lay eggs, and what goes great with eggs? Sausage and bacon," he said, adding he used spices inspired by bloody mary mix. "It turned out better than I thought it would ... it has more of a slow burn."

The judges' second place choice was Red Neck Chili, a sweet, red chili created by Ken Trent of Farmington Hills. 

People's choice winners were Sweet 'n' Sassy Chestnut Chili, submitted by Mike LaFever and John Coram of Fenton, and Mild & Flavorful Chili, submitted by Steve Feehily of Farmington Hills. 

Hosted by the Miss Farmington organization, the chili cook off this year benefits the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, held at Shiawassee Park in Farmington May 19 and 20. Anyone interested in participating may attend a  event March 6, 6:30 p.m., at in Farmington Hills.