The Chili Judge
I belched and four people in front of me needed paramedics.
W. Bruce Cameron
In late October and early November, when things begin to cool down in Texas (a refreshing thought at the beginning of July), a Texan’s tastebuds turn to a craving for steaming bowls of chili. As the saying goes in the great Lone Star: “When it gets chilly outside, it’s time for chili inside.” For Texans the cooler (and colder) months are chili season. Maybe that’s why the international chili cookoff in Terlingua—the granddaddy of them all—organized by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI), takes places annually on the first Saturday of November.
But for the real chili aficionados—the committed chiliheads and ironguts—chili season has no beginning or ending. Even midday in the middle of August when a mess of chili in a dutch oven can come to a boil all on its own is the right time for a bowl of chili. So, in the spirit of a mid-summer bowl of red and in honor of the chiliheads who lay their tongues on the line to judge hell on the red at chili cookoffs I give you this story written by W. Bruce Cameron, the onetime humor columnist for the Rock Mountain News in Denver, Colorado (which explains a lot, as you’ll discover). Cameron indicates this chili cookoff took place in his Colorado community. Given his description of his fellow judges and their comments about the various chilis, however, I’m convinced they must have been from Texas (though, truth be told, the comments about beans makes me dubious of my conviction).
Recently I was honored to be selected as an Outstanding Famous Celebrity in my community to be a judge at a chili cook-off 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 beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted this as being one of those burdens you endure when you’re an internet writer and therefore known and adored by all. Here are the scorecards 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 beers 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 jalapeño 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 beer line. The barmaid 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 Winston Churchill. 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. Needs 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 beer wagon. Barmaid 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 beer directly on it from a pitcher. Sort of irritates 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 a bit 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 the 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 the autopsy they’ll know what killed me. Go Sally, save yourself before it’s too late. Tell our children I’m sorry I was not there to conceive them. 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: Momma?
Copyright 1997 W. Bruce Cameron
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Derrick
Thanks, having an awful day but you made me laugh till I cried! 🌶️🤣
I was a judge at Terlingua in the early 90's. I am glad to say I had a much more enjoyable experience than this greenhorn did.