Text from the 2008 Chili-Cook Off

Following is the blog from last year's Chili Cook-Off at Poo's. This coming Sunday, January 25th is the Second Annual contest! This year, I am NOT entering a recipe...I am one of the Judges! And, Fred is submitting his favorite recipe. Hope to see you there!

Poo's was the site of the First Chili-Cook Off. Eleven contestants, some from as far away as Stanley brought crock-pots filled with their rendition of the best chili around with hopes of winning the coveted title as The Best Chili. A small entry fee was charged and Poo himself donated to the prize money, which was eventually distributed to the top five best tasting chili. Three judges; Poo, Tony and Fred (yes, my spousal unit) were not allowed in the tavern until the 1 o’clock tasting. This gave staff time to set up the crock-pots with numbers on them. Bob and Jake then took small plastic bowls-three at a time, one for each judge to taste, allowing only a “number” as a reference. It was all very fair and unbiased. Two categories were noted, HOT and regular. Quite a nail-biter, as there was a couple of “ties” in the tasting. After the judging and presentation of the prizes, everyone in attendance was treated to a Chili-Buffet that included all the entries, grated cheese, crackers, bread, cornbread and sweet butter, and there was also a bottle of TUMS available. This writer deems the event a complete success! Everyone had a great time and it was fun to try other folk’s secret recipes for the best chili in town. We were saddened that Craig was absent from the competition, down with influenza and upper respiratory crud. As everyone knows Craig is an extraordinary cook, and his entry was missed.Yours truly didn't even place. After all, I am sleeping with one of the judges!