Fayetteville's Mike Culver is an aircraft router

for Delta by profession and a chicken by choice. Known

for about 10 years as the "Chicken Man," the character

he developed as part of his comedy act, Culver will enter

his award-winning Chicken Man's Chicken Chili

Saturday in the Civitan's Chili Challenge. He claimed top

honors two years ago for his entry, taking home the

coveted copper chili pot. After a one-year slump, Culver is

ready to take on all culinary comers.

Was it the chili's taste or Chicken Man's fowl

personality which garnered him the First Place

People's Choice award at the Chili Challenge's premier

event? Neither, according to Culver. "I was begging them

to vote for me," he joked.

This year, he'll be on hand to offer samples of

his chicken chili and garnishes, including scallions

and cheese. Culver had already begun his arduous

chili-making process Sunday, in preparation for

Saturday's cook-off.

"The secret is to make one pot at a time," he

whispered.

Culver is no stranger around a stove and said he has been cooking

for about 20 years. "I love to cook; I probably have over 200

cookbooks," he claimed. His specialties

include seafood dishes, chicken entrees, gumbos and creoles, a natural connection

to his Brunswick, Ga., roots.

The "Chicken Man" bit evolved from

his days entertaining at Fayetteville's Lone Star Cafe. "Fred Poteet opened the

Lone Star about 10 years ago. When he did, he asked me to entertain," Culver

recalled. "I've been entertaining since the ripe old age of 8, and I'm

54 now," he said.

During that period, Culver was asked to perform for

the Atlanta Falcons Booster Club.

"I needed an apropos song for the Falcons. I came up with a Ray Stevens song, 'In

the Mood' by the Hen House Five," he said. "I found

a chicken outfit and did the song for the Falcons; it

was the last number I did," Culver said. It was the

finale to his regular lip sync routine, which included a

take-off on various character using hats and wigs as

props. After the Falcons performance, everyone wanted

the Chicken Man, Culver said. "It evolved from there."

The Lone Star went through some transitions

and was eventually sold. Chicken Man's newest coop is

the Charlie Horse Steak House in Sharpsburg. He

performs every other weekend on Friday and

Saturday nights. His next engagement will be the

weekend of Oct. 9 and 10.

Can't wait to sample Chicken Man's Chicken Chili? Try it at home

tonight.

2 med. onions, chopped

1 red or green bell pepper, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 1/2 -2 lbs. skinned, boned chicken breasts, seared on grill and

cut in 1/2-inch pieces

2 cans (14 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

1 T. brown sugar

1 T. vinegar

1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans

1 can (16 oz. ) great northern beans, drained

1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes

2 T. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

Sear chicken on grill (raw in middle) and cut into pieces. Saute first three

ingredients in oil in large Dutch oven. Add chicken and saute.

Add tomatoes and remaining ingredients. Bring to

boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

Serve with grated cheddar cheese and sliced

green onions.

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