Chef Leo and server Aja at the Birch Ridge tent at the Killington Chili Cook-Off

Chef Leo and server Aja at the Birch Ridge tent at the Killington Chili Cook-Off

At 4:00 PM yesterday afternoon, in a driving rainstorm, Chef Leo and myself were unloading my car at the Sherburne Library of all of the support paraphernalia we would need to pull off the Birch Ridge Inn's entry in this years Killington Chili Cook-Off. It was the culmination of a full week of effort to pull off the logistics to support the event. Although the event has been held for several years, this was our first year participating. We had no idea what to expect, other than looking at each other and wondering what we had gotten ourselves into as we were getting drenched by the rain in an open field with temperatures hovering near 90.

By 4:40 we were pretty much totally soaked and done with set-up. We were booth 10 out of 15, set with a beautiful back drop of well manicured recreation fields and low mountains behind us. At 4:45, as if on queue, the clouds parted and bright sunshine bathed the area. While it was a welcomed relief from the driving rain storm, a large percentage of what had fallen was instantly transforming into a difuse fog. For those who were not drenched by the rain, the moisture coming out of the ground with the return of sunshine certainly finished the job.

By 5PM, the weather cognisanti of Killington, all equipped with mobile devices tracking the weather radar, knew that the rain was finished for the night. It was time to eat some chili!

Over the last week, Chef Leo has been working in the kitchen at the Birch Ridge Inn perfecting his chili creation. Chef Leo created a 3 bean chili with turkey, sweet potato, cilantro, and a lime sour cream. To compliment the chili, we also had a grill going with Shishito peppers that we tossed in some citrus salt before serving. The chili came together great. A large outporing of Killington residents were in attendance. All of them marveled at the flavors developed in the chili. Many were not bashfull; telling Leo how good his chili came together. Out of the 12 restaurant entries in the Chili Cook-Off we placed 2nd. Not bad... not bad at all for our first foray into this event. Congratulations Leo!!!

There are a few others we need to thank and acknowledge for helping us place in the Chili Cook Off. At the event, in addition to Chef Leo and myself (I worked the Shishito pepper grill), our server Aja was there to help with set up, tear down, and greet people during the event. Back at the Inn, my partner Mary and our bartender Merisa were keeping the business going tending to inn guests. Merisa also loaned us the small grill we used for the "Table Side" service grilling the Shishito peppers.

Vince and Carla Chiarella at Boss Office Works did a great job with a quick turn-around request to make a Birch Ridge Logo banner for us which formed the front of our table. (Vince and Carla were in the booth beside us at the Chili Cook-Off serving their own Vin-da-moo chili creation). Corey Taylor, our friend from Baker Distributing, also came thru and loaned us a 10 by 10 pop-up tent to provide us with shelter for the event. Without the effort of the team, the star of the evening, Chef Leo's Chili, would not have had a place to shine.

And of course, this was a Chili Cook-Off after all. We need to tip our hats to Chef "Sneaky Pete" Mittendorf of the Look Out Bar and Grill for this years winning Chili creation.

On to Jerkfest this weekend. Chef Leo has a special creation to present tomorrow night (Saturday August 1) to go with this Jamacan inspired event. I can't wait!

Wherever you may be... hit them straight... keep it in the fairway... and don't forget your sunscreen.