Underdog Takes First Place At Malibu Chili Cook-Off

MALIBU, CA — Under the hot sun of the Labor Day weekend heat wave, thousands of Malibu locals and visitors flocked to the Malibu Chili Cook-off for four days of games, rides and, of course, chili. This year an underdog took the win for the vegan/vegetarian category.

The proceeds from the annual Malibu Chili Cook-off go to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. This is the Boys & Girls' club 39th year hosting the cook-off, which featured chili from Mestico, Green Truck, Smokin' Bar-B-Quties, Stoner House Farms and The Red Hot Chili Preppers. Green Truck won first place in the traditional chili category.

Dan Morales, Chief Information Officer for Universal Music Group, entered the chili competition with his two brothers, kids and coworkers. Usually Universal does a sponsorship of some kind for the event, but this year they didn't, so Morales decided to find a way to get involved. His squad, The Red Hot Chili Preppers, ended up taking home first place in the vegan/vegetarian category for its Impossible chili and third place in the traditional category for its prime rib chili.

Since they aren't a commercial kitchen, Morales and his team had to come at opening each day to prepare the chili on site — a disadvantage, but certainly not a devastating blow.

"We're at a complete disadvantage compared to the commercial places but, you know what, we do it with love, we have a great time," he said.

Morales said every year around Christmas his family cooks a huge prime rib for dinner — the biggest they can find — and Texas-style prime rib chili with the leftovers, a recipe concocted by his brother. This is the recipe The Red Hot Chili Preppers entered into the competition, with the help of his two brothers who are seasoned veterans in the world of cook-offs after competing in crawfish boils together in Houston, Texas.

"Texas chili, what we're making, is a little bit different than what's on this row, so it's all going to come down to taste. We love it because it is kind of traditional chili," Morales said. "We're getting great compliments from everybody."

All the proceeds from The Red Hot Chili Preppers' tent went to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, Morales said.

But the chili cook-off is about far more than just chili; the event was packed with vendors, games, rides, skating, live music and more. This year, Alphapals brought a colorful, 24-foot rock climbing wall nestled in a brightly decorated kids corner. The kids corner was directly adjacent to the adults corner, a Barefoot Dreams sponsored alcohol tent equipped with a DJ playing a mix of old classics and top hits and a selection of craft beers and wines.

Next to the chili stands a very different set of competitors were vying for first place as well at the second annual Johnny Strange Legacy Skate Competition. The competition is part of the Johnny Strange Legacy Inspire Program at the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu that honors the life of Johnny Strange, the late Malibu local who was known for his adventurous stunts and BASE jumping, the Malibu Times reported. The competition had two categories, advanced and intermediate, and the ramp was open to the public throughout the cook-off.

As is always the case in Los Angeles, the chili cook-off even became a celebrity spotting opportunity; Daily Mail reported that stars such as James Corden, Madison Beer and Jack Osbourne were seen enjoying their kids and significant others at the event.