Honor, Glory, Dutch-Oven Won at Chili Cookoff

On March 17th, 2007, some of Brooklyn's most talented Amateur chili chefs went head to head in a no-holds-barred, no-ingredient-banned First Debate Society Chili Cookoff at Moonshine in Red Hook. The event was a fundraiser for our upcoming tour of A Thought About Raya to Austin, Texas. The chefs and eaters helped us raise enough money to bring our stage manager, Amy Ehrenberg, on the tour. (As always, anyone can make tax-deductible donations to The Debate Society online HERE. Your further donations will go towards the upcoming New York premiere of The Eaten Heart at The Ontological Theater.)
Prizes were provided by A Cook's Companion, Dub Pies, The Coffee Den, and LeNell's. Over the course of the day, over 60 chili-eaters tried the spicy creations and drank the $5 buckets of beer. It wasn't until 9 o'clock that night that the last of the chili pots made their way out the door to spend a night soaking in Dawn, and the chefs exited to bask in glory or apply salve to the burning sores of defeat. (Photos by Ian Savage and others)

The Grand Champion
(Juried Award)
Chefs Javier Oddo & Lauri Berritta
SWEETIES SPICY CHILI
Javier and Lauri (center), Hannah (below), Paul and Oliver (flanking) and Thomas- one of the judges (local 10 year old). Lauri and Javier won a 5-Quart Double Dutch Oven from A Cook's Companion, 2 frozen meat pies from Dub Pies, 4 free coffees from The Coffee Den, and that kick-ass trophy.

The People's Choice
(Audience Votes)
Chef James Knight
JIMMY'S DARK CHILI

James "Jimmy Dark" Knight (Left), Sydney Maresca- TDS costume designer (grinning center), Oliver (Left). Jimmy Dark won a bourbon tasting for 4 from LeNell's, 2 frozen meat pies from Dub Pies, 4 free coffees from The Coffee Den, and that other kick-ass trophy.

2nd Places / 1st Runner-Ups

Richard Hughes with his Richard's Supreme Chili took a very close 2nd place in the juried competition. As you can see, he wasn't too sad to go home with 2 frozen Dub Pies, free coffee from The Coffee Den, and a medal.

The people chose Andrew Prior with The Free Zak Chili for their 1st runner-up. Prior also went home with 2 frozen Dub Pies, free coffee from The Coffee Den, and a medal.

3nd Places / 2nd Runner-Ups
Before winning the People's Choice, Jimmy Dark had already claimed 3rd place in the juried competition. At this point he won 1 frozen Dub Pie, free coffee from The Coffee Den, and a medal.

Chef Rob Reddy pulled in an easy 3rd place with the People's Choice with his Sweet Heat Chili. Rob also won 1 frozen Dub Pie, free coffee from The Coffee Den, and a medal.

All of the Chefs
Andrew Prior * The Free Zak Chili
Greg Tito * Erin's Smokehouse Chili
Richard Hughes * Richard's Supreme Chili
James Knight * Jimmy's Dark Chili
Rob Reddy * Sweet Heat
Kristin Bennett * Bean O'Round the World
Susan Storey * Snowbound 4AM Chili
Javier Oddo & Lauri Berritta * Sweetie's Spicy Chili

Thanks to all that made it out, and made it happen. Now we can go to Austin.