I look forward to promoting stronger U.S.-Latvia ties and working with AmCham members to ensure Latvia is a trusted destination for international business.
John Tully, Chairman of the Board of MikroTik
Past events
Drupa team wins Best Chili
Sep 25, 2014
PinUp Restaurant&Bar, Pils 7
The Drupa team, represented by Viesturs John Drupa and Mara Bertina made their chili a winner at the AmCham's 10th Annual Chili Cook-Off on September 25 at the restaurant PinUp.
After winning 2nd place for three consecutive years, the Drupa team finally made it with their Banditos Chili. The Drupa team received the title Best Chili Riga 2014 and a special Chili Pepper Award. In addition, they were awarded prizes from Radisson Blu Hotel Ridzene and Albert Hotel. The Drupa family also received Naga Ghost or Bhut pepper, which is said to be the hottest chili in the world.
Asked about his winning recipe, Viesturs John Drupa put it down to three basic ingredients: good local food, spices from all over the world and love. “Good chilli is made with love. It is as simple as that,” Drupa was concise.
2nd place was awarded to the LAWIN team for their License to Chill. 3rd place went to the Albert Hotel team for their Spiciness formula Chili.
Justin Bancroft with Cinncinati Chipotle Chili won People’s Choice Award determined by the public vote.
Winners received generous prizes from Albert Hotel, Baltic Beach Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Daugava, Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija and Santa Maria.
The jury consisted of expert chili tasters and chefs: Sharon Hadson-Dean, Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy; Matīss Kukainis, last year’s winner and President of AmCham, Richard Johnson, Chef of Restaurant StockPot and Karlis Roberts Celms, American Chef and Owner of the restaurant Tvaiks. Judging was done anonymously by evaluating each chili by aroma, appearance, taste and aftertaste.
The Annual Chili Cook-Off has become a traditional autumn event where AmCham members and friends compete for the Best Chili in Riga award.
8 teams participated in this year’s Cook-Off including:
- The Albert Hotel team: Fēlikss Neimanis and Joanna Osmane with Spiciness formula Chili
- Justin Bancroft with Cinncinati Chipotle Chili
- The CBRE team: Santa Rozenkopfa, Iveta Priedīte and Iveta Valtere with Old Town Chili
- The Drupa team: Viesturs John Drupa and Māra Bērtiņa with Banditos Chili
- The Dome Hotel & Spa team: Jānis Pinnis and Māris Astičs with Chili Le Dome
- The Indian Raja team with Chillindia
- Masters of Toasts: Kristīne Kamerāde and Līga Piebalga with Burning Love
- Red Hot LAWIN Peppers: Raimonds Slaidiņš, Ivars Slokenbergs, Krista Zariņa, Kristīne Meija, Sarmis Spīlbergs, Kristiāna Lauga, Reinis Sokolovs and Jānis Gavars with License to Chill
In addition to the chilli contest, 580 EUR were raised in the charity raffle in benefit of the Latvian Foster Family Association and SOS Children’s Villages – organizations striving to promote healthy development of children left without their biological parents and a family-based care. The charity raffle was supported by airBaltic, Dome Hotel & SPA, Diatom Art, Indian Raja, Microsoft Latvia, PinUp and StockPot.
Gallery
AmCham provides S3 a great opportunity to connect with business community.
Agne Stojakove, Market Vice President, Country Manager Strategic, Staffing Solutions International