Pizza cook-off winner chosen at annual Waukegan Winterfest
Por YADIRA SANCHEZ OLSON
The best sauce in Waukegan is what made Mike’s Pizza the winner of the People’s Choice Award at
Saturday’s pizza cook-off at the Waukegan Winterfest, according to assistant manager at Mike’s Pizza, Hector Cruz.
“It’s more refined and it has all fresh ingredients,” Cruz said.
And the Judges’ Award went to Jack’s Pizza.
“Our pizza is unique,” said Gus Papandreu, manager at Jack’s. “It’s a home recipe with more than 20 spices.”
This year, four local vendors – Jimano’s, Jack’s, Sweet Tomatoes and Mike’s pizzerias – put their product to the test for about 100 people in hopes of claiming bragging rights to one of the awards.
“This is really the reason why we come every year,” said Simon Flores, of Waukegan. “Years ago, it use to be chili; now it’s pizza!”
There was more than pizza at the frosty event.Llamas, chickens, ducks, sheep, donkeys and a porcupine were also a hit. Parents smiled while snapping photos of their children petting the farm animals.
“I had never petted a zebra!” yelled 8-year-old Amya Conkle, of Zion, to her Godmother, Diana Borg.
“This is our third year coming here to see the animals,” said Anselmo Rivera of Waukegan, as he watched his children – Sarahi, 6, and Henry, 3 – take photos of a brown llama on their Nintendos DS.
On the other side of the park, Frosty, a 9-year-old Alaskan malamute, howled softly at the people in line to the dog sled exhibition, where he and four of his friends gave sled rides.
“It was awesome!” said 10-year-old Maximus Molitor of Round Lake Beach, as he jumped off the sled.
“This was a great turnout,” said Michael Wirsing, recreational supervisor at the Waukegan Park District.
