If You Ask Me

February 25, 2017 - The Mardi Gras of Chili®

Sertoma Chili Cook-off 36 is almost in the bag. If you hurry, you can still make it down there in time to see Shawn Munday, then the Dirty Saints are closing it down.

This was a fun day. I didn't get out of bed as early as I'd planned, but it's all good. I stopped at the convenience store to get cash from the ATM and buy a cup of coffee. The kid at the counter saw the logo on my shirt and got really excited. He told me that eleven years ago, his dad's team took first place as crowd-favorite and the official judging. Dad still has his trophies and the recipe. Dad and son (the clerk at the convenience store) are planning to try again next year, to see if the chili recipe has withstood the test of time.

When things were slow in my area, I got to go to the party – I was able to hear a bit of Thrillfall, Laura Ashley, Pearl Nation, and Chris May / Marcus Chatman. They were all wonderful.

I had a few bites of chili – my personal favorites were The Boys & Girls Club and Mediacom. In the “restaurant” division, my favorite was Iguana Roja. They were all delicious! As for adult beverages, what brand and how much I had is none of your business. Suffice to say, I did not deprive myself.

The booths, as usual, were over the top. So many fun / funny themes, but my top three picks were AECI's Chocolate Factory, patterned after Willy Wonka's, Expedia's Alice in Wonderland, and Classic Lawn's Dr. Dandelion's Diabolical Laboratory.

Now I'm home, packing away all my swag and Mardi Gras beads. Oh, I almost forgot! I scored a totally sweet UPS hat! Aren't you jealous?