International Chili Society

THE NEW YORK CITY CHILI COOKOFF

Last yea, this cookoff was the first of its kind in New York City - the first one in Staten Island, the first one at Historic Richmond Town and lots of first time cooks. This was the second year for the New York City Chili Cookoff and they came back with true heat - Chili Heat. Designated a District cookoff, very quickly the number of red cooks rose to elevate this cookoff to Regional status. In addition, the group was able to sign up 5 more cooks to become ICS members.

Even with storms threatening in the morning and the spring-like weather we had on Friday all but a memory, the cooks braved the low temps (about 50 degrees), but the wind was another story. If you had 4 people on your team, 3 of them were holding down the tents. Then about 2 pm the rain started. But with all the cold, damp, wind and rain, the streets of Historic Richmond Town were filled with spectators anxious to taste all the chili from the area. There was even a separate People’s Choice for some of NY’S Finest. Eight fire companies were battling it out for the votes from the spectators for a chance to declare they have the Best Firehouse Chili.

The folks at Historic Richmond Town could not be nicer to work with. Orly, David, Ed, Lisa and Bob all made the cookoff the success it was. Bob Coughlin has been helping Steve as Chief Judge and will be taking over those reins next year. Steve and I will still be overseeing the scorekeeping. We look forward to next year as it gets bigger and better. And it will be a regional.

People’s Choice:

Robert Burmeister, Culinary Renegades

Firehouse People’s Choice:

Richmond Engine #1  - one of the few volunteer firehouses in NYC.

Best Booth:

Toxic Smokers and their Hazmat Chili team

Salsa:   16 entries

3^rd – Jim Heywood, NY

2^nd – Judi Omerza, PA

1^st – Robert Burmeister, NY

Verde:   10 entries

3^rd – Monica Parker, VA

2^nd – Rich Omerza, PA

1^st – Robert Burmeister, NY  Repeating his win last year.

Red Chili: 29 entries

4^th – Robert Burmeister, NY

3^rd – Daniel Gentile, NY (first time cook)

2^nd – Judi Omerza, PA (winning a tie breaker)

1^st – Jim Parker, VA

Jim Parker got his Hat Trick with this win.

Keep this cookoff in your sights for next year. I can only see this getting bigger and better. After all, it is New York City!!

Audrey Falkowski