Eat My Charlotte

Amateur and pro chili chefs battled it out at the Good Eats Chili Cook Off at Jackalope Jack’s on Sunday, Nov. 15. Twenty teams brought their best chili to the table and competed for the best traditional chili (beef and bean), the best specialty chili, and the People’s Choice Award. The entire neighborhood was invited out to taste-test the chilis and also watch the Panthers play on a projected screen in a make-shift outdoor stadium. Admission was free and for $10, guests were given 10 tasting cups and a free beer.

Among those competing were self-proclaimed chili masters, grandmothers, a teenager, and professional chefs from Nolen Kitchen and Tavern on Park.

Although I didn’t win anything at the Cook Off, it was a great first-time cooking competition for me. My friend and I made a Buck Wild Chili with real bear meat, venison, pork sausage, bacon, bourbon, and beer. After ladling out samples of chili from 1 to 6 pm, I was starting to feel like a cafeteria lady (minus the hair net). We had some die-hard fans who asked if we had a web site or restaurant through which they could buy more, but I can’t say the entire crowd went wild over the Buck Wild Chili. I guess there is always next time … And next time I’m playing dirty – I’m bringing all the fixings and even homemade cornbread. Maybe I’ll pass out free beers too to win over the tasters.

Congrats to all the winners!

123►

If you are interested in other food competitions and food events around Charlotte, join the Charlotte Good Eats Meetup group. Membership is free.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

It’s chilly outside, but you can easily warm up with some chili at the “Good Eats” Chili Cook Off & Block Party at Jackalope Jack’s on Sunday, Nov. 15.

If you’ve got a mean chili recipe and think you can win some big bucks, be sure to enter the Chili Cook Off. Winners get cash prizes and trophies. They are taking entries in both amateur and pro categories. The entrance fee for amateurs is $20, for pros it is $40. (The amount of the cash prizes will be determined by the number of participating teams.)

You aren’t required to cook on site – just bring your finished chili (3 gallons worth), a table, and a chafing dish to the contest.

The Cook Off will include a traditional chili category and a specialty chili category. Call Richard Gruica at 704-421-6155 to RSVP your entry.

And for those of you who don’t enter the contest, you can still take part by tasting it all! For $1 per tasting, vote for the People’s Choice Winner. (Vote for me and my team!)

In addition to all the chili, they will have a Panther Block Party with the game projected on a big screen, drink specials (buy 10 samples and get one beer free), a Cornhole Tournament, Skee Ball, and live music.

Sunday, November 15, 2009
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Jackalope Jack’s
1936 E. 7th St.
Charlotte

Bookmark It

Hide Sites