Notes: From An Inexperienced
Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from Western
New York:
Recently Frank was honored to be selected as an outstanding
Famous celebrity in Texas, to be a judge at a chili cook-off,
mainly because no one else wanted to do it. Also the original
person called in sick at the last moment, and Frank happened
to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to
the beer wagon when the call came. He was assured by the other
two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that
spicy, and besides they told him that he could have free beer
during the tasting, so Frank accepted.
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.
FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell 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
Texans are crazy.
Chili # 2: Arthur's
Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken
seriously.
FRANK: 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. They had
to walkie-talkie in 3 extra beers when they saw the look on my
face.
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.
FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose
feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the
routine by now. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my
backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting
shit-faced.
Chili # 4: Bubba's
Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice.
Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for
fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was
unable to taste it. Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind
me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. bitch is starting to look
HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I'm eating.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato.
Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing, and I can no longer focus my eyes.
I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The
contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had
given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by
pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It really pisses
me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw
those rednecks!
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.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with
gaseous, sulfuric flames. No one seems inclined to stand
behind me except that slut Sally. I need to wipe my ass with a
snow cone!
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 literally threw in a
can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I
am worried about Judge Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of
distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and
I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost the 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. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my damn
shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed
me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. Screw
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.
Chili # 8: Helen's
Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe
for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its
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 and pulled the chili pot on top of
himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yankee.
FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable To
report)