A Chili Cook-Off Story as told by a guy named Frank
"Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off in Texas. The original
person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's
table asking for directions to the beer truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other
two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me
I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."
Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 - Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) - Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your
driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. These
people are crazy.
CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge #2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste
besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver.
Shoved my way to the front of the beer line. The barmaid looks like a professional wrestler
after a bad night. She was so irritated over my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under
her eye started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston Churchill. I will
NOT pick a fight with her.
CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- This has got to be a joke. Call the EPA, I've located a Uranium spill. My nose feels
like I have been sneezing Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way
so I could make it to the beer wagon. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is
in the front part of my chest. She said her friends call her "Sally." Probably behind her back
they call her "Forklift."
CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods not
much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to taste it. Sally was
standing behind me with fresh refills so I wouldn't have to dash over to see her. When she
winked at me her snake sort of coiled and uncoiled --- it's kinda cute.
CHILI # 5 LISA'S - LEGAL LIP REMOVER...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick.
Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne
peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people
behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed hurt when I told her that her chili had
given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher.
Sort of irritates me that one of the other judges asked me to stop screaming.
CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY...
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous flames. No one seems
inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if she wants to go dancing later.
CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned
peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can
of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried
about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and pull the pin and I wouldn't feel it.
I've lost the sight in one eye and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes
are covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Good, at my
autopsy they'll know what killed me. Go Sally, save yourself before it's too late. Tell our
children I'm sorry I was not there to conceive them. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too
painful and I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I'll just let it in through the hole
in my stomach.
CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM's TOENAIL CURLING CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to
declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that
most of it was lost when Judge #3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of
himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really
hot chili?
Judge # 3 - No Report
