Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The American Legion Post 14 scores big again with over 500 hungry people attending their 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off Festival at El Rio BBQ Bar.

This always popular benefit was held on Saturday, March 14th at El Rio BBQ alongside the Cuale River in Paso Ancho, and featured 15 recipes from a broad range of sponsors, including restaurants and individuals.

Guests enjoyed "All-You-Can-Eat" chili tasting plus one order of riblets for only $200 pesos per person, while raising $55,000 pesos for Puerto Vallarta charities, including The Banderas Bay Women's Shelter, Youth Sports benefiting Torpedos American Football (Pop Warner 6 to 17), DIF New Life Home for Boys and American Legion and Navy League of Vallarta Community Relations Projects.

Live entertainment began at 12:30 with a Mariachi performance, followed by Mikki Prost singing everyone's favorite Patsy Cline songs; Murphy's Irish Pub entertainers, Dave Whitty & Matt Cooke; and Nacho Daddy's Texas Embassy Blues Band bringing the day's entertainment to a rockin' end.

There were two classes of judging. Popularity vote by the attendees to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies and also Professional judging to determine a "Grand Chef's Prize."

And the winners were:

Popularity Vote
1st Place: Hotel Casa Anita
2nd Place: Escondida
3rd Place: Nacho Daddy

Professional Judging
1st Place: Nacho Daddy
2nd Place: American Legion
3rd Place: Murphy's Irish Pub

Murphy's, Nacho Daddy and American Legion (Ron Abbe) must have the secret, as they were also winners last year.

It appeared that everyone had an excellent time and so many people came out winners but at the end the real winners were the Puerto Vallarta charities that the American Legion so faithfully supports. Thanks to everyone for your continued patronage!

Mark your calendars; next year's date is Saturday March 12th. We hope to see you at the 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off Festival!

For more information contact Dennis Rike of the American Legion Post 14 PV at dennis2rike(at)hotmail.com