The man behind the woman behind Tehachapi’s chili cookoff

Posted by editor Monday, June 22, 2009 - 10:46
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2009 Annual Chili Cookoff &
Sports Car Show Winners

International Chili Society (ICS) Winners

Salsa – 3rd Place – Barbara Ward –
Salsa – 2nd Place – Russell Barnes - $50
Salsa – 1st Place – Gene Beller - $100

Chili Verde – 3rd Place – Kim Cottrill - $100
Chili Verde – 2nd Place – Sachiko Bracke - $200
Chili Verde – 3rd Place – Char Sweeny - $300

ICS Chili – 3rd Place – Bill Ray - $100
ICS Chili – 2nd Place – Marty Leitner - $300
ICS Chili – 1st Place - Char Sweeney - $500

People's Choice Award – Team, 4-Stroke: Rick Vance, Chris Craft and Greg Garrett

Need For Seed Sports Car Show

City Council Choice – Terry Shannon – 1958 MBZ 220s
Best Modified Porsche – Dale Mileski – 1971 Porsche
Best Modified Corvette – Linda Combs - 2001 Corvette
Best Paint Job – Marin Snodgrass – Porsche
Best Oldie – Terry Shannon – 1958 MBZ 220s
Best of Show – Dennis Seifert – 1955 Thunderbird

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“We’ve got beer, cars, chili; We have trip-tip and gunfighters...what more could a man want? asked Main Street Director Michelle Vance exuding her characteristic enthusiasm for the 2nd annual Chili Cookoff held on June 20.

The lucky man married to the dedicated downtown diva just smiles boyishly.

While Michelle Vance’s tireless efforts to spice things up in downtown Tehachapi have kick started the local business economy, her husband Rick’s Four Stroke Chili managed to stir up some serious community support of its own at the bustling weekend event.

The family’s love for dirt bike riding, inspired the theme for Rick’s chili and his colorful booth at the event, sending adventurous chili-tasters “endo” - end over end - for seconds, thirds, fourths...

“It’s a bit of a guy thing,” Rick said about the little ego boost he gets from positive feedback for his secret recipe chili. “You really like it when they come back to your booth and say something like “You’re the best by far!’”

Humbly admitting only to being a “decent Dad cook” — grilled cheese, grilled meat — Rick said he spent about six months perfecting his own chili recipe. Although, he doesn’t compete for prizes in Tehachapi, it’s just family fun.

Last year’s downtown event was Rick’s first entry into the highly competitive realm of chili cookoffs.

A few months later, he won a competition in Clovis, Calif.

“But he can’t win in Tehachapi!” said the event’s coordinator, aka, his wife.

So what’s Rick’s Four Strokes of genius to making great chili?

“Definitely hot. But not too hot where you start sweating and burn your mouth off,” Rick said. “It’s got to have good consistency. That’s the key to great chili.”

The secret ingredient?

“I’m not gonna spill the beans so to speak,”he said.

Yes, he said beans.

The sanctioned pros can’t use beans in their chili. ‘

Some cowboys might take exception to that rule. But Rick just tips his hat politely in disagreement.

“If you were raised in Tehachapi you’ve gotta have a little bit of cowboy in you,” he reckoned with a shy grin.

“Chili as a meal, with some cornbread,” he said, “It absolutely has to have beans.”

And Corona beer. And some barbeque ribs. And some warm sourdough bread...

Opposites attract

The quietly helpful man usually seen somewhere in the background at Main Street events, carrying stacks of boxes, lifting or fixing something, enjoys the chance to cook up some fun at his favorite local event, she said.

“This is something that he can get involved in. I’m involved in 4,000 other things,” Michelle said as she hustled off to check a few more things off her to do list.

Described by his family and friends as “laid back,” “easy going” and a “go-with the flow kind of a guy,” Rick Vance proves that opposites attract.

The 1998 Tehachapi High School graduate has worked as a diesel mechanic at Borax for 16 years, which adds to his appreciation of The Need for Speed Car show.

“I love small sports cars. I work on giant mining equipment,” he said as if he were explaining gravity to Mrs. Isaac Newton.

A man of simple tastes, Rick wouldn’t mind cruising around downtown in the latest Convertible Corvette.

“Every year they seem to get better. It’s just a beautiful car,” he said.

And every year, the downtown events continue to get better and better. Now that’s a beautiful thing.

“My favorite thing about the chili cookoff is seeing all the old school Tehachapi friends,” he said openly proud of his hometown community ties. “That’s why I still live here...I’ve been to other cities. This is a great town. I love living here.”

He also loves spending time camping, riding, hiking and fishing with his wife and two children, Wyatt, 15 and Kelsey, 13.

“He’s just like cool with everything,” Kelsey said. “He’s really laid back.”

Kelsey and her brother Wyatt love playing basketball and football with their dad, and just “hanging out” and watching funny movies.

“He’s kind of a quiet guy, but once you get around him he opens up and starts being funny,” she said.

Kelsey planned to top off her dad’s “perfect man weekend with “the perfect Father’s Day gift.”

“He would love just a homemade card and a homemade cake (chocolate),” she said adding, “and just to hang out with the family.”