both the teams and the chilli!
And a judging panel of the competent was formed for an official verdict.
Huddling around pots of chilli they judged the entries blind.
Entertainment was provided not just by the fine musicians “Uke Can't Be Serious” but by a game of Rugby Football being played in the North beyond the wall.
Chilli was tasted.
Ale sloshed and cider consumed.
A great time of merriment ensued.
It was a closely fought contest. The standard much higher than previous years.
The judging panel of 5 experienced Chilli eaters had to be recalled to call an overall winner as their voting had resulted in a tie.
The public voting – 150 people voting with their spoons – was too close to call and the spoons had to be recounted.
The panel victory went to the Upton Cheyney Chilli Farm, 2nd Priscilla Queen of the Firepit and 3rd The Smokey Oak.
Before the contest, The Duck has assured us that despite it being the longest time he had ever spent cooking a Chilli and the most expensive ingredients he had ever used he was certain he wasn’t going to win. His list of ingredients was long and complex. Only a couple of eggs and a splosh of custard were needed to see us from breakfast through lunch to dinner and dessert in one pot.
How wrong he was. The judges decided his chilli was indeed the best, just beating Priscilla – a regular winner at previous contests. The Smokey Oak came a close third.
The public vote went to the Barkness and their Dragon tears infused chilli. A newly formed Competitive BBQ Team they are planning on taking their innovative skills on the road this year. Priscilla came second here too. Caerphilly Chilli came in a respectable third.
The overall winner though was Cancer Research UK – the chosen charity for the event. The public vote and a raffle raised almost £1000. Anyone wanting to support Becky’s efforts please follow the link - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chilli-wars
A great event. Exceptionally organised! Highly recommended.
Andy
The UK Chilli Cook Off Association organises a series of cook offs throughout the year – this event was modelled on their rules. A few rounds will be run alongside some of the BBQ Contests this year but there are a few others at some of the Chilli festivals too. The heat winners will automatically qualify for the UK final, for a top prize of £1000 AND the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama with top prize of $30000! It’s a great way to get into competition cooking. Events, rules and recipe’s - http://ukchillicookoff.co.uk/
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