Bizarre epidemic of blistered lips traced to hospital (photos)

Lone Star Cafe and Bar has the Sault's best-tasting chili, according to MCTV's Brett Lund (shown at front) and fellow distinguished judges at the 2003 Sault Area Hospital Foundation Chilifest.

The People's Choice Award went to Docks Riverfront Grill, while Casino Sault Ste. Marie was recognized for serving the hottest chili in town.

Superior Pizza won second place in the best-tasting category, followed by the Gourmet Stop from Station Mall in third position.

Casino Sault Ste. Marie also won the award for best booth.

An energetic crew from Dixon Hills Eatery won the spirit award.

Meet the winners

Lone Star Cafe and Bar - 2003 Undisputed Champions of Chili Superior Pizza, Gourmet Stop Casino Sault Ste. Marie - best booth, hottest chili Dixon Hills Eatery - 2003 Spirit Award Docks Riverfront Grill - the People's Choice

More SooToday.com photo coverage

If you were there but were rendered insensate by food hotter than a scorned woman, you can refresh your memory of the event by checking SooToday.com's Big Picture of the crowd. Just click here. Be sure to use your browser's scroll buttons to view the entire photograph. The image takes a while to load if you have a dial-up connection.

To see some of the famous people we encountered working at this year's event, please click on the links below:

Famous person #1 Famous persons #2 and #3

**************************************************************** Completely irrelevant SooToday.com factoid

The judge's favourite in this year's Chilifest, the Lone Star Texas Grill on Great Northern Road, is shamelessly shilling for Ryan, one of three finalists in CTV's Canadian Idol program.

Ryan works at a sister Lone Star location in Kingston, Ontario, and the Sault eatery/watering hole has taken out an ad in the Monday Sault Star, asking everyone to watch MCTV at 8 p.m. Monday and to phone in a vote for Ryan between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

They're hosting a Ryan party in the Sault Lone Star's bar and phones will be set up to ensure you do your duty.