Chucky's Chili Cook-Off With Michael Ornstein

Michael Ornstein poses next to a fan (Mark Pastva) as
Cross Country Cycles parts adviser Ben Archer snaps a picture.

With the first couple storms of 2015 hitting the tri-state area, the winter season seems to have finally materialized as the roads are awash with salt and snow banks litter the landscape. Despite the snow and the freezing rain, things were heating up this past Saturday inside the Cross Country Cycles/Powersports building where Michael Ornstein (Chucky from Sons of Anarchy) was helping host a chili cook-off as well as signing autographs and chatting with fans.

Stu Segal hands out the first batch of his heart healthy chili.

Michael Ornstein spends some time behind the parts counter talking bikes, Hollywood and family life with
(from left to right): Jayson Tornberg, Mary Fried, and Joe Gonzalez.

 Chili Cook-Off Entrants (Listed by their entry number):

1) Rashmika and Stu Segal brought their signature "Sweet and Hot Indian Gobbler Chili".  This entry was actually created with heart health in mind and Stu claims that you can eat as much as you want without worrying about any ill-effects to your heart. Explaining that there is "no salt and no fat, but plenty of flavor" Stu states that the secret ingredient to this chili are the unique peppers found only to grow in his back yard.  Stu rides a Ducati Monster Superbike, BMW K1200GT, and BMW K100LT and Rashmika rides a Buell.

2) The second entry into the contest comes from Mary Fried.  When asked about her "no name" chili, Mary explained that she had come up with her entry through vigorous trial and error and basically ending up with a culmination of her favorite recipes combined.  Although she prefers to "bring the heat" in her chili, she decided to turn it down a bit for this contest since she knows not everyone can handle things turned up to "11".  Perhaps this penchant for piquancy explains Mary's choice of rides; a BMW S1000RR, a MV Agusta Brutale and a Ducati Monster 620.

3) Making a return to the chili competition circuit is Dan Notte and his "family recipe" chili.  When asked about the chili, Dan wouldn't divulge any information beyond the fact that it took him 3 years of arduous work to perfect his recipe with only the "choicest" of steak meats and hand picked beans.  And what kind of bike would a man of such exacting and demanding palate ride?  Why, what else but a Honda CBX, of course!

4) Djeams Muse brought two different types of chili with him.  The first was his "Tom Crew Chili" which was his first original recipe.  The second chili he brought was his "Tender Belly Chili" which he said he created because some of his friends couldn't handle the heat of the "Tom Crew Chili". Perhaps it was this forethought that brought him the proverbial "gold" in this competition.  Aside from his talents with his crock pots, Djeams also has impeccable taste in motorcycles as he keeps a Kawasaki ZX-14, a Honda VT1100 as well as a Honda VFR750 in his stable.

5) Brett Praskach is a newcomer to the world of competitive chili and came to this cook-off with a risky yet bold entry he named, "Pineapple Express".  Brett received his crock pot as a Christmas gift this past year and claims this is only his second or third batch of chili.  As you can guess, the special ingredient here would be pineapples and his daring did pay off as he received many compliments from the tasters, but unfortunately he was unable to leave victorious.  Brett rides a 1979 Suzuki GS750 which is another world he has recently entered and we all wish him the best of luck in both endeavors.




The winning chili was made by Djeams Muse (Entry #4) from the Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) and he was awarded a $100 gift card to be used at Cross Country Cycles or Cross Country Powersports.