Chili Is Confusing

I don't know the reasoning, but people confuse local television stations channel 2 (NBC) and channel 4 (ABC) all the time. Yes, the two are in close proximity of each other, both being on the Mount P side of the Ravenel Bridge. Channel 4 even used to be the NBC affiliate, which may be a big cause of this confusion. But almost 14 years of ABC News 4 is not enough to end the mix-up between these two rival stations.

I will revisit this enigma again later.

On a related, but seemingly distant topic, the 10th annual chili cook-off took place this past weekend. Hundreds came out to support the Charleston Animal Society while stuffing themselves full of chili, oysters, and beverages.

Live 5 News showed their love for animals with a Mardi Gras theme, which earned them a predictable "Best Presentation" from the judges.

9th circuit solicitor, Scarlett Wilson, had one of the best chili recipes as well as a clever television themed display (Channel 9 News). Wilson took away a deserving "Most Traditional" award from the cook-off with her chili.

The people's choice award goes to the celebrities with the most money donated to their table, which of course goes to the Charleston Animal Society. I do not give this award too much credit since the celebs themselves or their close friends & family could easily drop their own cash in to sway the results. This year, Charleston County Councilman J. Elliott Summey dug deep into his pockets to take home the prize.

A couple of local celebs worth noting, despite the fact that they did not make a stand in the winner's circle, was Cpl. Paul Brouthers with the police department and Warren Peper with the Post & Courier. Both men added very tasty chili to the competition.

The final two trophies were for the "Most Unique" and "Best In Show." Although there were several unusual chili recipes, the Good Morning Charleston chili was honored with "Most Unique" while Channel 2's anomalous chili was awarded the grand prize of "Best In Show."

I am sure those on Coleman Blvd will defend their title to the end, but I think you will find that most people who ate both the "unique" and "best" chili that day would agree that there must have been a mix-up.

Not to say that NBC had a bad chili, in fact it was pretty decent, but ABC's recipe was, in my opinion, a little better. But whether or not you agree which chili tasted better, it is hard to argue with the fact that channel 2's chili was more unique than channel 4's.

Which brings me back to my original point - people are always confusing ABC 4 & NBC 2. Whether it be their location in Mount Pleasant, the talent that works at either station, or the chili they make, even the judges themselves get confused.

Don't believe me? Just look at these two hard facts.

(1) Channel 4's chili was made up of nothing out of the norm. It had beans, tomatoes, beef, some chopped veggies, a little spice, a great mix of flavor but nothing anyone would classify as "unique." I do not know everything that channel 2 had in their chili, but the chunks of steak definitely made it stand out, some might even say in a "unique" way.
(2) One judge told a member of channel 4 that he "really liked the big chunks of steak in their chili." Wrong station guys, turn the channel.

Hell, if nothing else, 4 should have received Scarlett's "Most Traditional" award, which is like the total opposite of unique!

Maybe I'm wrong, but in my expert opinion those last two chili awards were backwards. 2 should have gotten "Most Unique" and 4 should have taken home the belt for "Best In Show." Turn those two awards around and, unlike last year, the awards this year were pretty damn fair.

9th Annual Celebrity Chili Cook-Off

The Charleston Animal Society hosted its annual Celebrity Chili Cook-Off this past Saturday, and just as it has been in years past, it was an enjoyable time.

There is always an interesting variety of chili recipes at the cook-off, some very tasty and some...well, let's just say I would not go back for seconds.

The one thing I have not been able to figure out in my past three years of attending this event, is exactly what is going through the "professional" chefs' minds as they are judging each recipe.
I am sure when it comes to making (& judging) dishes of smoked salmon, duck magret, and petit fours, these men are at the top of their class. However, when it comes to the blue collared meal of chili, they have the expertise of a bubble dancer.

The winners of the past three years are as followed...

BEST IN SHOW

Cook-Off '06: Tanya Brown, 95SX

Cook-Off '07: Brad Franko, NBC 2

Cook-Off '08: Tanya Brown, 95SX

Now I remember my reaction to these chili recipes over the past few years and only the first year I took part in the cook-off ('06) did I think the winner was a good choice. I would have put the 95SX chili in the top 3 of all contenders that year.

Last year, the Brad Franko chili made me confused and sad after the first bite. It was not even so much a chili, as much as it was a beef stew. Terrible choice. Perhaps a good candidate for "Most Unique", but definitely no "Best In Show" chili. If the chili cook-off had Razzie awards (that is the movie award ceremony for the year's worst films) then NBC's '07 chili should have taken the award for "Worst Impression of a Chili Dish."

Then this year...Tanya Brown takes home the gold once again - but why? Were these judges tasting the same chili as me? It was by no means the worst chili at the Maritime Center but, let me put it this way...I wouldn't go bragging to my friends about it.

What is also funny about this year is that channel 2's chili was actually pretty damn decent. I would rank that one in the top 3 this year, even though they came away without a single award.

Maybe the judges need to 'cleanse the palette' between cups of chili. I think they are tasting something different.

But whether I agree with the choice or not, Tanya still wears the belt for best chili, so to her I say, "Congrats."

Even if she did slip some money under the table. ;)

My chili picks: ABC News 4, NBC 2, & NBM Construction