[2990] in Humor
Texas chili
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Charles E. Leiserson, Jr.)
Fri Nov 5 15:37:03 1999
To: humor@MIT.EDU
Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999 15:35:36 EST
From: "Charles E. Leiserson, Jr." <locutus@MIT.EDU>
Notes from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank:
Recently I was honored to be selected as an Outstanding Famous Celebrity
in Texas, to be a judge at a chili cook-off because no one else wanted to
do it. Also the original person called in sick at the last moment and I
happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the
beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges that
the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have
free beer during the tasting, so I accepted this as being one of those
burdens you endure when you're an internet writer and therefore known and
adored by all.
Here are the scorecards from the event:
Chili #1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
FRANK: Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dried paint
from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames
out. Hope that's the worst one. These people are crazy.
Chili #2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky (barbecue?) with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children. I'm not sure what I am
supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people
who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to
the front of the beer line. The barmaid looks like a professional
wrestler after a bad night. She was so irritated over my
gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye started to
twitch.
She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston Churchill. I will
NOT pick a fight with her.
Chili #3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
FRANK: This has got to be a joke. Call the EPA, I've located a uranium
spill. My nose feels like I have been sneezing Drano.
Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way so I could
make
it to the beer wagon. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my
backbone is in the front part of my chest. She said her friends
call her Sally. Probably behind her back they call her
Forklift.
Chili #4: Bubba's Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or
other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to
taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills so I
wouldn't have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her
snake
sort of coiled and uncoiled ... it's kinda cute.
Chili #5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding
considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit
the
cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. Belched
and four people in front of me needed paramedics. The contestant
seemed hurt when I told her that her chili had given me brain
damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it
from a pitcher. Sort of irritates me that one of the other
judges asked me to stop screaming.
Chili #6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice
and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.
Superb.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous flames.
No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if
she wants to go dancing later.
Chili #7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef threw in canned chili peppers at
the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge
Number 3, he appears to be in a bit of distress.
FRANK: You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and pull the pin and I
wouldn't feel it. I've lost the sight in one eye and the world
sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered
with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point.
Good, at autopsy they'll know what killed me. Go Sally, save
yourself before it's too late. Tell our children I'm sorry I was
not there to conceive them. I've decided to stop breathing, it's
too painful and I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air
I'll just let it in through the hole in my stomach. Call the
X-Files people and tell them I've found a super nova on my tongue.
Chili #8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor
hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3
fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself.
JUDGE TWO: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not
too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
FRANK: Momma??
