We're LIVE from the Kines Chili Cook-off!

11:45 -- I've just arrived at the Kinesiology Teaching Lab for the annual chili cook-off. Despite the return of two recent champions to the chili competition, the tension is mild. Hopefully, the chili is not.

The Healthy Turtle has entered with Chunky Chili. (Yes, that's the actual name of it.) Last night, I dreamed that I ate it all before I even got to the cook-off, seriously.

So far, I see eight chili entrants. Rumor has it, someone just walked in with some awesome-tasting chili made with... Brazilian meat? That makes nine chili entrants so far. There are also four bread and three dessert entrants on the table at this point.

Is it time to eat yet? I can hardly wait.

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noon -- Dr. Clark has arrived, and the eating has commenced. Time for me to dig in.

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12:05 -- Here are my thoughts on the solid entries:

C-1: I'm off to a delicious start. It's delightfully sweet... Makes my mouth happy. (Is that cheesy? I don't think there's any other way to put it.) It's interesting, and certainly not a traditional chili.

C-2: This is even less traditional. Big chunks of beef, I think. It's a full and hearty flavor and just a tad spicy... No wait, a sip more of the broth, and it's got a definite kick. Love it.

C-3: This one looks like a turkey chili... I think it tastes like turkey. It's different for me (in a very good way), because I can't say I've ever actually had turkey chili. I can't tell if it's spicy, or a bit of spice that's lingering from the previous entry.

C-4: This one looked exactly like my entry: Beef, onions, etc... Oh, wait, this one has carrots. Nice addition. And looks like kidney beans, not pinto beans like mine. I'll tell you what else this one has that mine doesn't - A strong taste of veggies. Well done, C-4.

Time to go refill my plate. Five more chilies to go.

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12:17 -- Strike that. Six more to go. A crock pot sneaked in.

C-5: Mmm, this is yummy. I think it's turkey? (Man, I think I'm bad at this guessing game.) The smell is enchanting... What spice is that? This is another one that just makes my mouth happy. No other way to put it. Is that kind of a buttery taste? Strange thing to say about a chili, but I'm just calling it like I taste it.

C-6: I think this is another turkey one. (I also think I'm just assuming all the white meat chilies are turkey. Can you make a chicken chili?) The pinto beans have a strong presence in this chili. I like it.

C-7: I like this one a lot. We'll leave it at that.

C-8: A beef chili that's quite tomato-y. (I like tomatos a lot, so that's a good thing.) It's a nice combo of sweetness and spiciness.

C-9: I'd like to name this one the most interesting, and I haven't even taken a bite yet. I have to hurry though. Votes close in five minutes. I have one more chili, breads and desserts yet to go!

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12:30 -- Another one! There are 11 chili entrants!

C-10: A veggie chili, and I love it. Tastes really cheesy...

C-11: Another delicious veggie chili. Sorry for the short description, but Dr. Clark is making final call for votes.
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12:35 -- I devoted far too much time to the chili, and I didn't have enough time to ponder the breads and desserts. My votes for chili are in, and I'm left to enjoy the rest of the food at my leisure.

My predictions:
Best in Show: C-5
Best Vegetarian: C-10
Hottest: C-2
Most Interesting: C-9

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12:46 -- The votes are in, and Dr. Clark is making the announcement.

Best Bread: Joy Bauer with B-1.
Best Dessert: It was a close vote, but Callie Bates won with D-2.
Veggie Chili: Jo Zimmerman with that cheesy C-10.
Hottest Chili: (It had Dr. Clark scurrying for sour cream.) Mellisa Pangelinan with C-2.
Most Interesting: C-9 ... Davi Mazala.
Best in Show: Holy Cow... I won!!! Where's the closest Barnes and Noble? I've got a $25 gift card!! Dr. Clark said it was a close vote, and everyone had at least one supporting their chili. Well done, all!

Thank you, KNES, for inviting me to participate. Eleven chilies in one day? You can't go wrong. It's time for me to go try Callie's winning dessert! And whoever made C-5, how about you pass on the recipe?

Here's mine:

Chunky Chili

1 lb. 90% ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbls. chili powder (I used a little more.)
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin (I used a little more.)
2 cans (16 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained (I used extra of this, too.)
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained (I used less of these)
1/2 cup salsa

Heat beef and onion in skillet over medium heat. Mix everything and cook on low in the crock pot.