Today we had our second annual chili cook off at work. I mentioned that I had been working on a recipe and today it made it to the big show.

I had three progressive goals for this cook off.  First, I wanted to not finish last.  (I’ve competed in one other chili cook off and I placed 13th out of 13.  Need I say more?)  Second, I wanted to finish ahead of last year’s winner.  Third, of course, I wanted to win.

Well…

I didn’t win first place, although the real winner was chosen correctly so I can’t complain.  I didn’t see the final results, but I heard that I came in tied for third out of eleven competitors.  I did finish ahead of last years winner, so I got two out of three.

Unfortunately, the chili I brought in wasn’t as good as my test batch, but I know what I need to do to make it better.

• I didn’t let it simmer long enough for the starch to be drawn out of the beans, which would have thickened the sauce more.
• Partway through cooking, it looked a little too dry.  I panicked and added water.  I should have just waited longer for more liquid to be drawn out of the tomatoes and onions.  It would have been perfect.

We’ll see how it goes next year.