Five Crocodile chefs set off to West Chester for the great chili cook off on Sunday, October 11 armed with 20 gallons of their special chili and great enthusiasm.
Their goal? To be crowned chili champions of the restaurant division.
It was a brilliant, sunny day and the crowds were amazing. The streets of West Chester were packed elbow to elbow. In all, 30,000 people came out to sample the different chili booths.
There were lots of different styles of chili- vegetarian, turkey, mole style, brisket, super-spicy, mild as spaghetti sauce, with beans, without beans—you name it.
The Croc chefs played it straight with the famous beef chili that we served every day in our café and at catered events out on the road. Beefy, beany with a bright tomato flavor accented with ground cumin and smoked jalapenos.
Other Crocs appeared at the scene as the day wore on, but they didn’t help serve much. They seemed more interested in sneaking in to some of the very crowded bars to watch the Eagles and drink beer towers.
The judges did not vote us the winner, we are sad to say. Instead they voted for three West Chester restaurants who donate heavily to the chili cook off. Hmmm.
Better luck next year, Crocs.
