ROOSEVELT CHILI COOK-OFF
2005
Page 2
I soon became apprehensive...What had I gotten myself
into?
A Burlingame Fire Department fire truck and paramedic unit arrived on the scene.
I suddenly had questions.
Were the chili's that hot?
Were they dangerous?
Would representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency be summoned to
Roosevelt School?
Did anybody watching the judges taste the chili's know the Heimlich maneuver?
I walked around to see if any of the chili makers had a skull & crossbones
as their "logo" or mascot.
Were those fire extinguishers, perhaps, filled with Steelhead Brewing's beers
from over by Burlingame Station?
I carefully surveyed the situation, making note if any of the chili's actually
"ate" their way through the serving cup.
I walked around and took note of the various outdoor tables. Nobody had
been rendered unconscious.
As Martha Stewart, who had not (for some reason) entered today's contest, would
say, "That's a good thing."
The judges gathered and jumped onto the fire truck to be driven onto the
"playing field" and to embark on our mission to taste the entries and
award the "Best Chili" honor to one of the contestants.
Chili Cook-Off Coordinator Amy Sanford introduced the august (or October) panel
of judges to the enthusiastic throng of Burlingamers.
As you can see, Amy enforces a rather strict "dress code" for the
judges.
That's the Mayor, Joe Galligan, showing off his bare legs!
No wonder so many judges are wearing sunglasses.
To emphasize that this is a "blind-tasting," Amy Sanford closes her
eyes and brings a 'flight' of chili for the judges to evaluate.
Chef Tim Hilt of San Mateo's famous restaurant, 231 Ellsworth is seated
alongside Claude Dumpson, a former Chili Cook-off winner.
Tim is thinking of having a four course prix-fixe Chili-themed dinner.
Or not.
The judges get busy and taste.
Happily, unlike a wine tasting, I didn't see any spitting.
Judge Linda McSweeney found a winner.
Judge Jim Delia founded this event a generation ago.
You can see we had a broad spectrum of chili to choose from.
Some thick, others thin. One white, others red, others brown. Don't
forget...Rosalie's hair is the benchmark for chili color.
Chunky? Meaty?
Is there Tofu in this one?!?!?!
Are there peanuts in this?
Was this one made by Gerber's?
When did Oscar Meyer wieners become an ingredient in chili?
No wonder they summoned the fire department...this one must have been burnt to
the pot.
"Chacun son got!" as we like to say.
The judges made their assessments and submitted their scores.
Now the results would be tallied and, in a while, announced to one and all.
At this stage, it was an accomplishment to stand up and walk.
I poked around the grounds to see what other festivities were taking place.
There was a crafts room for the kids...all sorts of curious things going on
there!
This kid's hair was a green as some of the faces of the chili judges and as red
as some of the chili entries!
Not everybody was as interested in all the festivities.
This young lady admires her new tattoo!
Outside there are all sorts of games and activities.
Whack the red device to launch the ball...you win if the ball lands in the hole
of the target ahead of you. This guy had great aim and precision.
Other edible treats were available...
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