I Need A Staff Photographer

Okay, so the title should probably be "Chili Cook-Off 2007!" My enthusiasm for this event subsided, however, after I reviewed my photos. Well, my enthusiasm hasn't completely subsided. Nothing can truly detract from the success that was our first annual chili cook-off.

About a month ago, I decided that Tim and I would throw a chili cook-off. This plan to invite competitors into our home to share their chili prowess was inspired by my own experience in Minneapolis both participating in a chili cook-off (2nd place first time out, thank you very much) and also performing as a judge one year for the same event.

I was craving kitchen competition for some reason. I blame this on my love of the Bravo channel's Top Chef. Regardless of how I came up with the idea or where I stole it from (thank you, Utility Engineering), it was on with the cook-off, results be damned. Wouldn't you know it - when there is competition involved, certain people simply cannot resist.

For my part, I created the house rule that the host cannot make chili. I mean, c'mon - it would be just a bit embarrassing if my name were on the chili plaque every year. It's like I would invite competitors over just to fail against my chili. Then, no one would want to come back. Right? (give a girl second place in a chili cook-off and modesty goes right out the door...)

Instead, I dove into the precise science of making cornbread from scratch. I've never performed this feat before and was pretty bowled over by the simplicity of the endeavor. I made a sweet potato cornbread and a batch of jalapeno-cheese cornbread that came from a recipe generously donated by one of my co-workers. Both were worthy sides to the chili that was brought into our kitchen.

As I intended to perform the judging by panel, I assigned Tim as one of the judges. The day of the cook-off, he kind of looked at me sideways and said, "you do realize that I don't like chili." Um, no. I didn't realize this. I suppose when you have been married only three years, you learn something new every day. Or every other day. Or frequently enough to still be surprised. I was not deterred. As the chili makers had crawled out of the woodwork to make the chili, I was certain that I would not have any trouble assigning judges once the contest began.

Danielle called me prior to the contest to ensure that her husband Steve could secure a spot on the panel. See? No problemo. At the very least, Steve was chomping at the bit to judge chili. I called Mel to invite her and her boyfriend Jeff, asking if he would be interested in judging. She wanted to know if she was chopped liver - why couldn't she judge too? Indeed - why not? And so she did.

The judges prepare to feast.

The panel was rounded out by our ever present buddy Mike and an out-of-towner in the form of Danielle's brother Eric. I will always brag that I flew one of our judges in from San Diego for the first annual chili cook-off. As the stage was set, it was time to pick apart the concoctions.

Steve really wanted to be a judge.

Check it out - it's like crack to him.

The other judges discuss an intervention behind Steve's back.

Mel finishes her round of judging with a piece of cornbread.

Here is where I stumble in my documentation of this event. I didn't take pictures of any of the chili. My camera, which I am unnaturally attached to (inanimate objects have a special appeal to me - wait here while I go make out with my new cell phone) decided to take grainy indoor photos that tested my patience and made me want to take it out to the wellhouse and lecture it for poor performance.

I didn't take pictures of any of the chili-makers. Well, some of them made it into a frame or two - but let's just say that it wasn't necessarily my shining hour as a self appointed photo-journalist. My only saving grace is that this will be an annual event. There is always next year for me to attempt to improve my observation techniques. And there is always next year for the participants to have a fair shot at the title.

This year's winner was Blaine, who was represented by a traditional chili - thick with both meat and beans, and with some subtle flavor of sweetness that my girlfriend Jenny and I guessed might be brown sugar. I am sure that he will never tell. Jenny didn't do so bad either - she received the honor of second place. This position is sometimes more pivotal than first; remember that in a mousetrap situation, the second mouse always gets the cheese. Third was a tie between Stephanie and Cheryl. I will leave it to the judges next year to break a tie rather than implement one. Lesson learned in chili contest hosting.

In this situation, the winner's only honor is braggin' rights. Also, ya get yer name emblazoned in fine point Sharpie on a super homemade plaque! Will you dare enter next year? Will you walk the plank that is chili competition and put your cooking ego on the line? Will someone please take pictures for me next year????

Jack isn't a chili fan, but sure loves dip! (Hidden Valley Ranch, sour cream and salsa - works every time)

Here's our out of town judge Eric (far right) discussing the finer points of chili tasting. (actually he was the one elected to perform the intervention...."Steve, just put the spoon down, man....")

Danielle and Nicole share some pre-chili time with others.

Contestants wait nervously by as the judges taste their wares.

It's a free-for-all in the kitchen once the judging is complete.

Thanks everyone for coming!!!