Secrets revealed! Judging the Mulege Chili Contest w/Photos

WELCOME TO THE 2011 MULEGE CHILI CONTEST! LOCATION: CITY SQUARE, MULEGE


Hey! Where is everybody? What’s going on here, anyway??.…where’s the chili?

Hmm?....What’s that you say..? ….Manana? Sunday, huh? Well sure.. I KNEW that, just thought I’d check for some early birds, you know………grumble, grumble…today is Saturday, dummy…sheesh.
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There, I’m back …and See?....like I said…. Sunday is the 2011 Mulege Chile Contest…not yesterday…


I never counted but it was a multitude of chili lovers. LET THE BELCHING BEGIN!.....there will be no mention of the air quality as the event progresses. One just prays for a breeze.

MACY’S COMMENTS (on the left) AS ONE OF THE JUDGES.

These Three Amigos shown are MacyMan, Dos Cervezas Eddy, and Belcher toneart, of the original band, Fast Eddy & The Slow Learners)


Macyman quote: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. 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. The other two judges (Native Mexicans, not the two shown above, who are ‘misunderstood musicians’) assured me 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.”
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SOME OF THE CONTESTANTS and THE JUDGE’S COMMENTS.


The Jungla entry. Bart, Lupe, and DDG…..(Drop Dead Gorgeous. )

Ha…Jungla’s Bart on left: “His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.”

Judges Comments on the Chile Tasting:

JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavour. Very mild.
MACYMAN: “Crikey, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. Those Mexicans are crazy.”
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Los Amigos de la Ninos. The Friends of the Children. A great charity for many years! And Always an award winner at this chili contest! Attaboy, Popcorn & Crew!

JUDGE ONE: Smokey, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
MACYMAN: “Keep this out of the 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 manoeuvre. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.”
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Francisco of Equipales. Hey? Opps! ”Heads up! Gasmasks, Francisco! Incoming from the left!!”

JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.>
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.
MACYMAN: “ Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest.”
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Purple Haze entry Mike and Roz... who are Nomads mulegemichael and beachgirl.

JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with adequate spice…very good tequila!
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods. What is this purple stuff?
MACYMAN: ”I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burnout taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. lady is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?”
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JB’S chili was my favorite…hands down…don’t know what is wrong with our judges?? Personally, I thought the chicken beaks were a nice addition .

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. Chicken beaks were too soft and not crunchy.
MACYMAN: ”My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. The contestant seemed offended when I told HIM that his chili had given me brain damage, Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off? It really cheeses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Crazy rednecks!”






Freelancing mobiles ...random taste samples from the crowds choices.

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.

MACYMAN: ”My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that **** Sally. She must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my mouth with a snow cone!”



Dallas and Cindy/Vicki. Dipping into the cups.

JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge Number 3, He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

MACYMAN: ”You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing; it's too painful. Stuff it. I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.”

Judge’s comments continue, but without MACYMAN…..to find out why, read on…




Finding the last of the Wandering Samples.

(Chili # 8 Pam’s Last Of The Red-Hot Lover's Chili)
JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare it's existence.
JUDGE TWO: 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 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor MacyMan, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot chili?
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According to most folks I talked to, JB’s chili was the best. I ate a small sample of all…and I agree. This was the best ...in my opinion. Got any leftovers, amigo? Hold the beaks..



In attendance are: Yourselves.


Tres Mas Amigos. Hola, Pulpo! What’s Heat 32?
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………..………….Nice kitty…………………………………………………………………………..………………….Hey, folks, need Tums?.....

……………...Chomp, chomp, chomp………………………………………………………………………………….Yup. It looks like chicken beaks to me, too!




Any unsold T- shirts will be discounted and available for sale. All proceeds from the chili contest go to charity.
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The Staff


The Staff…staffing.



Shaded seating…..mas cervezas, por favor.


AND NOW…The Winners circle

Francisco wins for best stand decoration….and for holding his breath the longest.


Local kids capture the event…BRAVO NINOS!



Cowgirls with an award. I gave them another award for having the cutest pair of….chaps. Open-ended! WA-HOOO!


Mike and Roz. They did not win first place in chili… but did win 1st for best Salsa Dancing!


Los Ninos chile band ..Popcorn collected about 53 awards….


Popcorn wore a path to the awards platform…..



This chili was good! I know. I sampled a lot of it!! Mmmm…good. That WAS moose, right? I didn’t know they wore horseshoes…??



And now! The moment we have been waiting for! The 2011 Mulelge Chili Contest winners are……

Drum Roll if you Please!!

Tilley Chili!! from the photo above….



Wha?…Canadians know chili?? No lie? Wha the heck…? Well, then MUST have spent some winters in Texas!


CONGRATULATIONS TO CANADA….AND TO ALL THE OTHER CONTESTANTS. BRAVO!



(Next week is the annual bar crawl event….stay tuned.)




[Edited on 3-9-2011 by Pompano]

...I just woke up. My eyes are beginning to focus. OK, that's better. Oh...Roger...great photos, as usual! Poor Macyman. I wonder if he is still with us.

Yep! The Canadians from The Orchard took first place. Their secret: they shaved Elkhorn into their chili, which is an aphrodisiac. Bonking good chili, eh?

Anyway...that was fun, yesterday! Huh? Wha...what day is this? Wednesday!!! How did that happen? Today is Wednesday??

Hilarious Highjinks

Hey Roger,

THANKS...for once again taking the time to give us all a GOOD laugh!

Looks like a fun time was had by all.

And...you're right, DDG is VERY pretty!


Michael

Marty...I think they're supposed to be floppy dog ears!

The chili contest.

Yes, it was indeed fun!

I hosted the first chili contests in this area about 35 years ago at mi casa. We had a blast for a few years, then it moved to Marybelle's in Mulege (Maria Isabell RV park), then it moved to the Serinadad, then finally to the zocolo..the central square, where it has been for a few years now.

Gawd, how the time has passed so quickly!

I recall a Chinese friend of mine back when I hosted the chili contest. Louie Tung. He was a sailor and lived on his trimaran, Sunshine, anchored in front of mi casa for 9 years on and off. He was teaching himself how best to sail to Tahiti and chase some senoritas in the meantime. (Well, he finally made it to Tahiti some time ago...and there was a nice first mate!)

A super intelligent character..a physicist..he once tried to enter a vegetarian chili in one of my contests...back in the day. We told him Chinese knew about noodles and chicken, but disqualified his entry of 'veggie chile'..there ain't NO SUCH THING, LOUIE! We barely tolerated beans..

Louis was an extaordinary character who I had a lot of fun with..playing chess, sailing, beach patrol for chicks, and all the Baja adventures you can imagine.

His tri was anchored in front, like I said, and every morning we would embark for fishing in my old cruiser, Pompano, we would wake him up by motoring my loud diesel past his anchorage..on purpose, naturally.

His head would pop up out of the cabin hatch and he'd shake his fist at us. "Noisy, noisy, all time you noisy!", he'd shout at us with a grin.

We'd raise our coffee cups to him from the flybridge and shout back.."We spit in your milk, you foreign devil!"

Those were fun times....back in the day.

Okay, enough with the nostalgia..back to the present!