Errant 'e' fires chile trophy do-over

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Winning the title of New Mexico's Best Green Chile Cheeseburger is a big deal, but this year the big trophy is getting a chilly reception and is smothered in controversy.

Rockin' BZ Burgers in Alamogordo won the top spot this year and a big shiny trophy.

But on the cutout trophy "chile" is spelled "chili," and that has some calling foul.

The trophy was a late add, and Michael Henningsen with the State Fair says the artist was working with a plasma cutter on a very complicated pattern. It could have happened to anyone, he said.

No one noticed the mistake until the morning of the competition.

So is the "i" used on chili incorrect?

If you walk around the fair, you see every combination and spelling of chile or chili you can imagine. Amber Sanchez spelled is very clearly chilé with a little accent over the e.

Others did it with no accent or "chili" and even "chillie."

Is there a difference in the actual products?

Katherine Kohlhepp made it very clear: "chile" is the pepper and "chili" is the stew.

The judges at the Home Arts building at the State Fair took a look at how the fair approaches it. Cindy Davies, Home Economist for Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service, she said all 11 entry categories for the Green Chile Cooking Competition on Friday are spelled "chile."

Now the final twist on this story.

The sponsor of the big Centennial Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge trophy confirmed the artist was rushing and using a laser cutter, but if you ask spell check, "chili" with an "i" is the correct spelling.

A new trophy with the precious "e" on the end of "chile" is being crafted and will be sent to the winner in Alamogordo as soon as it's done.