Vancouver’s Chili Challenge

For the third year in a row, the Food Network has partnered up with local chef and program host Anthony Sedlak to present the ZANTAC® Chili Challenge. Over the last few months recipes have been submitted and today, the top three finalists will cook up their chilis for a panel of judges (including myself) at The Dirty Apron Cooking School.

Photo credit: Gerald’s World on Flickr

The winner from the Vancouver competition today will join other regional champs for the national finals in Toronto, February 3rd, 2011. There, the regional winners will square off against two-time reigning chili champ, Mike Callaghan, in a live chili cook-off challenge hosted by Sedlak.

Vancouver isn’t quite known for its chili (however the Gastown Blues Festival hosts a competition each year as well) but it is known for its creative culinary talent. And, while my competition judging experience in the past has involved beer pouring, chowder, and mixology, I’m looking forward to sampling a warm bowl of chili (or three) on this blustery morning.

After the event, I will have photos, recipes, and hopefully the winner’s name so that we can cheer on our local champ when the Food Network finals air.

Update We had a great morning and early afternoon at The Dirty Apron. Three chilis were prepared and sampled, and only one contestant was victorious.

Lori from Invermere with her “Jubilee Whiteout” (chili #1 below) will be heading to the national finals in Toronto. Each was different from the next with ingredients varying from peanut butter and coffee to beer and beef bone marrow.

Contestant meeting with Anthony pre-game

Chili #1

Chili #2

Chili #3

Winner & Anthony

@cwistal showing @anthonysedlak how to add Twitter contacts during a break

It was great to meet Anthony Sedlak and hang out again with Erin Ireland. More photos from the event can be found on Flickr.