A mere 3 minute walk from my apartment led me to neighborhood favorite The Habitat -- the smallest bar ever to host a food event. But never fear, they pulled it off smoothly.
Co-owner Nicole Orlando gave me the low down on the event. She disclosed this event had a hilarious award for the worst chili -- the Turd award (a $25 bar tab). Now that’s something I’ve never come across on the amateur cook off circuit. I hope the idea catches on. The Habitat also awards an audience first place and a chef’s choice award.
Guys love chili
10 chilis competed against last years winner, making a total of 11 chili samples to chow down on.
I was unable to cast my Turd vote as I couldn’t find one that was, shall we say, exceedingly crappy. The chilies were all pretty damn good even though most played it safe with heat and overall flavor. One did have high marks for a deep smokey flavor, one was overly sweet, and one had enough heat to make my lips burn. The rest generally blended together in a whirlwind of warm comforting chiliness.
Stackable chili cups
Wearing red t-shirts, the chili competitors were easy to identify as I moved into schmooze mode.
First time cook off contender Brad used bison in his chili. I chatted with him and his sister Erica about bee keeping, chicken raising, and rooftop farms in Brooklyn. Yep, we’ve got ‘em all.
Check out all the beers on tap for such a small bar
Another first timer I met was Dan with his fiance Erin. Dan told me his chili consisted of beef, pork and lamb with spices from around the world including Saigon Cinnamon. Then he stunned me by saying he and Erin were relocating to Vermont in another year or so to start their own organic poultry farm. Very cool.
Competitors at The Habitat didn’t have to sling the chili themselves. Two helpers took care of that task leaving the 11 competitors free to chill with friends, drink and talk chili with me.
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