The
8th Annual Chili Cook Off held by Community Care in St.
Catharines, Ontario had come and gone. As one of the seventeen
participants I had brought my chili for tasting by a panel of judges
and the hundreds of individuals who came through the doors at Market
Square. Although I had not won the bragging rights and was not
chosen by the panel as the best, I know I had the best chili in the
house. Well heck, what did you expect, I am a chef and an Academy
Award kind of speech with it being an honour to be nominated simply
won't suffice.
Cooks from all over the St. Catharines area brought with them their secrets to a great chili. In the end the greatest secret in culinary history was once again rediscovered, that taste is a personal decision and no one was really better than the other. I assure you that last statement pains me horribly. Each one of us prepared a chili with distinct flavour, and together we gathered to help support an organisation that started in 1919 with one goal in mind, to extend a helping hand to those in need in our community. For that reason alone each of the participants was a winner, and every member of the public who came and tasted helped this event to be as successful as the last.
Chili simmering on-site |
Cooks from all over the St. Catharines area brought with them their secrets to a great chili. In the end the greatest secret in culinary history was once again rediscovered, that taste is a personal decision and no one was really better than the other. I assure you that last statement pains me horribly. Each one of us prepared a chili with distinct flavour, and together we gathered to help support an organisation that started in 1919 with one goal in mind, to extend a helping hand to those in need in our community. For that reason alone each of the participants was a winner, and every member of the public who came and tasted helped this event to be as successful as the last.
Nancy McIntosh & Shannon May, Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold |
Community
Care began as one individual's desire to help her fellow members of
the community she lived in, back in 1919. Today it has grown into an
organisation that helps thousands and sadly those numbers grow daily
not yearly. Without organisations like Community Care, without
people like Nancy McIntosh, Shannon May and their staff, our
community would face a painful empty void and those desperate for
help would be lost.
As
cooks we brought our chili not for a prize, but for a smile from
those who tasted it. For me personally my chili was a combination
and a melding of aroma and taste. Some will lay claim to a secret
ingredient, I am about to blow that as the recipe for my chili is
made available here and now. Go for it folks, several hundred
already have when I prepared it at my chef's station at Sobeys -
Scott and Niagara Street. At this point I wish to thank my manager
David Camilleri and Sobeys for sponsoring my entry into the Cook Off,
and to my wonderful team with my daughter Alexandra, co-worker Julia
Clairmont, and Lori Marsh, our engagement champion.
2
tbsp olive oil
1
1/2 cups chopped sweet onion
6
garlic cloves minced
3
lbs ground beef
1/2
lb hot Italian sausage
5
tbsp chili powder
1
tsp cumin
1
tbsp fresh basil
3
bay leaves
1
tbsp of fresh oregano, cilantro, thyme
2
small red chili peppers, or 1 large
28
oz can of tomato puree
2
cups chicken broth
6
oz can tomato paste
2
cans fire roasted tomatoes
1/2
cup BBQ sauce
15
oz 2 cans chili beans
2
tbsp grainy mustard
stout
beer (optional)
Heat
oil, saute onions and garlic then add beef and sausage meat, saute
until brown.
Add
chili powder, cumin, basil, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, cilantro and
mix well.
Add
red chili peppers, tomatoes, tomato puree, broth, beer, tomato paste
and BBQ sauce, mix well.
Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer until thickened, (1 1/2 hours).
Garnish
with sour cream, Italian parsley.
Event Highlights
(click to enlarge)
Event Highlights
(click to enlarge)
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