BAJA INTERNATIONAL CHILI COOKOFF FIRES UP SEPTEMBER 21!

On Saturday, September 21, 2002, J.D. Hussong will hold his 26th Annual Baja International Chili Cook-off from high noon until 6 PM at Quintas Papagayo Resort, 1 1/2 miles north of Ensenada at Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada Km. 108. In addition to being the first south-of-the-border cook-off sanctioned by the International Chili Society, this event is also Baja California’s oldest international culinary competition.

Known to many as “Johnny,” Juan David Hussong is the grandson of Johan Hussong, the famous German pioneer who followed the gold strike down California’s coast to Ensenada, where he established Hussong’s Cantina in 1892. Like his ancestor, Juan is an adventurer, although of the culinary variety. In 1975, he traveled up California’s coast to Newport Beach where he discovered the California State Chili Cook-off being held at the Balboa Bay Club. After sampling the numerous “Texas bowls of red” and exchanging tales with International Chili Society officials, Juan was invited to stage a similar event in Ensenada. In September of 1976, a dozen chili chefs lit their stoves for the first time in Baja California.

For more information on this year’s cook-off click here: Hussong's 2002 Chili Cookoff