| "Recently I was honored to be selected a judge at a
local chili cook-off; mostly because no one else wanted to do it. Also the original
person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the
judge's table asking directions to the drink stand when the call came. I was assured
by the other two judges the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides they told me I
would have free coke during the tasting." - Cameron Here
are the score cards from the event:
Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
Judge One: - "A little too heavy on
tomato. Amusing kick."
Judge Two: - "Nice, smooth tomato flavor.
Very mild."
Cameron: - "Holy smokes, what is this
stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two
cokes to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. These people are
crazy."
Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili
Judge One: - "Smoky (barbecue?) with a hint of
pork. Slight Jalapeno tang."
Judge Two: - "Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more
peppers to be taken seriously."
Cameron: - "Keep this out of reach of children!
I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two
people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to the front of
the drink line. The waitress looks like a professional wrestler after a bad night.
She was so irritated over my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye
started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like a hockey player. I
will NOT pick a fight with her."
Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
Judge One: - "Excellent firehouse chili! Great
kick. Need more beans."
Judge Two: - "A beanless chili, a bit salty,
good use of red peppers."
Cameron: - "This has got to be a joke.
Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been sneezing
Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way so I could make it
to the drink stand. The waitress pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the
front part of my chest. She said her friends call her 'Sally'. Probably behind
her back they call her 'Forklift'."
Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic
Judge One: - "Black bean chili with almost no
spice. Disappointing."
Judge Two: - "A hint of lime in the black
beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili."
Cameron: - "I felt something scraping across my
tongue but was unable to taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills
so I wouldn't have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her snake sort of
coiled and uncoiled - it's kinda cute."
Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
Judge One: - "Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne
peppers freshly ground adding considerable kick. Very impressive."
Judge Two: - "Chili using shredded beef; could
use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement."
Cameron: - "My ears are ringing and I can no
longer focus my eyes. I belched and four people in front of me needed
paramedics. The contestant seemed hurt when I told her that her chili had given me
brain damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring water directly on it from a
pitcher. Sort of irritated me that one of the other judges asked me to stop
screaming."
Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety
Judge One: - "Thin yet bold vegetarian variety
chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
Judge Two: - "The best yet. Aggressive
use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Cameron: - "My intestines are now a straight
pipe filled with gaseous flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except
Sally. I asked if she wants to go dancing later."
Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
Judge One: - "A mediocre chili with too much
reliance on canned peppers.
Judge Two: - "Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef
threw in canned chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried
about Judge Number 3, he appears to be in a bit of distress."
Cameron: - "You could put a hand grenade in my
mouth and pull the pin and I wouldn't feel it. I've lost sight in one eye and the
world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili
which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Good, at autopsy they'll know
what killed me. Go Sally, save yourself before it's too late. I wish that the
ringing I hear was of our wedding bells. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too
painful and I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I'll just let it in
through the hole in my stomach. Call the X-Files people and tell them I've found a
super nova on my tongue."
Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
Judge One: - "This final entry is a good,
balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when
Judge Number 3 fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself."
Judge Two: - "A perfect ending, this is a nice
blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence."
Cameron: - "Mommy? Is that you? Should I
walk toward the light?" |