St. Catharines Downtown Association

Tyler Heath figured he had the recipe for a truly standout chili, even among a crowd of 19 fiery competitors.

The executive chef for Taps Brewing Company in Niagara Falls showed up at the annual Chili Cook Off at Market Square with Holy Smoke, a beef and pork concoction featuring smoked veggies.

Oh, and one more important ingredient.

"There's a good, good, good bit of Red Cream Ale in there," said a laughing Heath, who acknowledged plenty of chili-tasters were noting the taste.

"I find that once it's reduced, the ale really gives it a nice, meaty flavour."

Heath wasn't the only cook relying on the drawing power of an eye-raising ingredient.

The Rootin' Tootin' Chili Queens loaded their offering with ground beef, pork, veal, sausage bits and everyone's favourite meaty Canadian icon, moose.

 

"It has a really interesting flavour, which changes it quite a bit from the other (entries)," said would-be chili queen Megan Franklin, who is also competing to be Miss Universe Canada next spring.

Franklin came close to a win Friday, earning second place in the judge's choice award behind Niagara Falls' Great Wolf Lodge.

Doris Maxwell's "secret ingredient" helped CAW Local 199 win the people's choice award, even if it wasn't a very well-kept secret.

"The secret is local food made by Local 199," said a laughing Maxwell, pointing proudly to a banner listing all the ingredients grown in Niagara.

The mix of hometown peppers, beer, apples and maple syrup contributed to a unique taste that most chili tasters seemed to love.

A few contestants offered added value over and above the actual chili.

Taps' chili shared a table with its Red Cream Ale, where fire-breathing tasters tended to congregate.

The Royal Flush team of Royal LePage realtors offered free hugs along with their food. "We call it lunch with love," chief hugger Elizabeth Barr said. "Our chili is great, too."

 

 

Debate rages ...

 

The chiliest city debate remains unresolved.

The results for the St. Catharines Chili Cook Off showed Niagara Falls competitor Great Wolf Lodge winning the judges' choice award, but Garden City-based CAW Local 199 nabbed the people's choice trophy.

St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan spiced up the fourth annual event by daring the Honeymoon Capital to bring its best chili challengers to Market Square Friday.

Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci rose to the challenge, arriving with his city's latest winners, Great Wolf Lodge and Edgewaters Tap and Grill.

Salci won mayoral bragging rights at the judging table, however, with both McMullan and Deputy Mayor Peter Secord out of town during the chili chow-down.

The charity event raised more than $4,500 for Community Care, said Elizabeth Fritshaw of the downtown association. That's almost a $1,000 improvement over last year.

Please see video clip and full story in The St. Catharines Standard at:

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2457713