Eighteen teams of chefs. A panel of distinguished judges. An eager crowd of tasters.
They’re all part of the recipe for a great Barn Daze Chili Challenge.
As for what the secret ingredient is in the best chili?
‘I’m not at liberty to say,? said Scott Taylor, who teamed with three friends to take first place from the judges.
Taylor, Matt and Steve Wandrie and John Byle made up Parrothead Paradise, the only team not affiliated with a local business in the challenge, which was sponsored by the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce.
The team of LOHS grads said it wasn’t too hard to take down corporate America, perhaps sending out their warning shot for next year’s event.
‘Fat guys know chili,? they joked.
Taylor said he saw a posting for the challenge at Dr. Deck’s office and it got him thinking.
‘When we’ve been at other contests my wife always says ‘you know your chili is better than this,?? Taylor said.
Now he has a plaque to prove it.
Century 21 of Oxford (#217) finished second and Entr’e Vous was third, according to the judges. Baldwin Eye Care took home the People’s Choice award.