Hot & sweet and just the right amount of bite
Photo Gallery
EDGERTON — You can never have too many flatulence jokes.
And when an event features chili, salsa and lots of beer, those kinds of jokes punctuate the air like guys around a campfire.
But that’s the joy of Chilimania, the annual competition featuring serious chili making and a lot of fun. The event is also the official Chili Appreciation Society of America (CASI) Wisconsin championship.
We can’t repeat most of the flatulence jokes in a family newspaper—although “Magna Farta” was a good one—but we can share the advice, observations and wisdom of the event’s chefs, judges and supporters.
Here’s…….
-Rose Conroy’s idea of a good costume: A red pepper. Conroy, who looks respectable enough to run a preschool, wore a red union suit and boots.
“I’m really quite comfortable,” Conroy said cheerfully.
Garlic Joe’s trick for a masterful chili: Smoke ’em if you got ’em—the peppers, that is. It gives the chili a nice smoky aftertaste.
Garlic Joe, whose real name is Ken Kouha, was running his Smokey-bear themed booth with his Osa Esposa—“Bear Wife” Brenda and their son Jeremiah. Jeremiah also had a special name for the event, but we can’t print it.
Jeremiah created a salsa verde with five kinds of pepper: Poblano, jalapeno, Thai and two other that remain family secrets.
- Rick Parrent’s opinion of the Packer management: Not good. Parrent’s booth was covered in Astroturf and featured, as a backdrop, a large poster of an empty Lambeau Field. The theme was the Favreless Packers.
“This chili is the only spice left in Lambeau,” Parrent said. “Donald Driver needs it to put some pep into his step.”
Then he started talking crazy, mentioning the words “Jets”, “Favre” and “Superbowl” in the same sentence.
As for his chili, Parrent experiments with something new every year.
“It’s an adventure in chili making,” Parrent said.
- The Chilimania version of the political process: A crew of Dean Health Care staffers created the American Chilicratic Party for the event. They roused the crowd with chants “Four more beers, four more beers!” They made signs. They made buttons. They said things like “I did not eat chili with that woman!”
Their stance on the issues?
“Right down the middle, as long as there are four more beers,” said nurse Cecil “C.” Tipton. “Liberty and chili, that’s our commitment.”
Tipton and maintenance magician Mike McGinnity, constructed the Chilicratic booth together. It looked sturdy enough to withstand rioters, a la Chicago 1968.
The only delicate part of the whole business was McGinnity’s Uncle-Sam-with-chili-themed stained glass window. Yes, the guy made a special stained-glass window for the booth, showing a disturbing dedication to his Chilimania team.
How do the Chilicrats like their chili?
“Hot and a little sweet, just like our women,” said Dr. Mitchell Kopnick.
Not surprisingly, the Chilicrats won first prize for showmanship and best booth.
Sep 9, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
optimism, when I have skyline chili, it's usually for lunch. I save the drinkin' for the evening-time (except for emergency situations). ;-)
Sep 9, 2008 at 7:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
GAZETTEFAN....I'll try anything "twice" hehe. Does it go good with beer?? ;o)
Sep 8, 2008 at 7:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
Alright Hannah, you had me crying too. My daughter came up from her room...she thought she had to save my life! LOL
Sep 8, 2008 at 7:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hormel is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 8, 2008 at 6:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
FUNNY!!!! hannah. ;-)
Skyline Chili is not gut busting. It's available at small restaurants in Cincinnati and some parts of Florida. You can get it with or without beans.
You can get the kind without beans, in a can, at Sentry on Court. Sure it's in a can but it's the best canned product I've ever had. It's different, give it a chance at least twice. It's very flavorful, not blinding hot stuff, it's like a sauce.
Sep 8, 2008 at 6:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Funny Hannah!! THanks for the chuckle.
Sep 8, 2008 at 4:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Completely dried out meat...especially chicken because she was a working mom and when she'd get home, she'd throw it in a skillet, turn the electric burner (aptly named) on high and let 'er rip. By the time she got back to it after changing from work clothes, starting the washer, etc., dinner was ten minutes shy of jerky. To this day, I cannot handle moist chicken...it's got to be dried out just like Mumsy use to make. Mmmmm 7-layer salad and tatertot casserole....two of my favorite comfort foods. And don't forget green bean casserole for the holidays!
Sep 8, 2008 at 4:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
If it wasn't for the incredibly drunk folks that populate the event, this would truly be an event for the whole family.
Sep 8, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Is anyone familiar with the term "chilimac?" The soupy stuff with the macaroni sounds like chilimac. Chilimac is the exotic alternative to mac and cheese.
Yes, true chili has no pasta!
Sep 8, 2008 at 3:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hannah - I think our moms were separated at birth ("...it isn't chili if it is soupy with overdone macaroni in it.") And if Mom added too much overdone macaroni, it miraculously became "goulash." ;p
Sep 8, 2008 at 2:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
CHILIMANIA ROCKS!!
Sep 8, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
Why didn't she write about the lack of parking???? Does anyone know why they decided to put apartment buildings in the only downtown parking lot???? This year was the first year I went in about five to six years. I was not really impressed. When the taste testing came people were rude and bumping into each other. Someone ran into my daughter in her stroller and almost fell on top of her. And never even apologized or turned around. It was ridiculous. Maybe they could have it a little more organized instead of everyone going in ten different directions at one time. But maybe it was just me!
Sep 7, 2008 at 10:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cincinnati Skyline Chile!
Sep 7, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
My chili is never sweet.....? Hot and spicy only please.
Sep 7, 2008 at 8:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
P: "Did you hear that Terrance? You're not guilty!"
T: "Oh Phillip, you saved me from the gas chamber!"
Sep 7, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe she just wrote what she saw..instead painting a pretty rosey picture like most articles about Edgerton.
Sep 7, 2008 at 12:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
This counter-postmodern jaunt is best enjoyed when the reader brings something to the table. As a matter of fact, reader participation is a requirement bordering on the highest of human responsibilities. Note how the story makes a contra-taboo issue of the highly personal nature of flatulence, phantasmagorically elevating it to a realm where other crucial stuff composing the life of the mind resides.
On this sly ride from the metaphorical gaseous nature of our essence we are delivered seamlessly to the raunchy nature of politics then, before we know it, we are dizzily back at the table where it all began.
Enjoy the ride!
Sep 7, 2008 at noon
Suggest removal
If there were one bit of writing advice I could give Idzerda it would be more transition words. A lot of times her writing (and her sarcastic humor) takes on this disconnected-zinger quality. That said, it's just a local color piece to go with the photo gallery.
Sep 7, 2008 at 10:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
I know that you read the paper, so you should know by now that the answer is apparently "no".
Sep 7, 2008 at 9:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Thought that you might have a picture of that "Bear Wife".
Sep 7, 2008 at 9:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Reminds me of that campfire scene in "Blazing Saddles".
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.