Real chili doesn’t have beans, tomatoes or corn, according to this year’s North Idaho Chili Cook-off champion.
Amrah Canul | Argonaut
Students eat a sample among 15 different kinds of chili Friday at Ag Days 2012 near the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Mike Costello, a food science researcher at Washington State University and Tombstone, Ariz., native, entered his Southwest chili into this year’s cook-off for the first time.
“I was all in it for the glory,” Costello said.
His goal was to properly represent Southwest chili — without the frills that denote chili in other parts of the country.
“Real Southwest-style chili is just seasoned meat,” he said.
Costello’s includes garlic, chili powder and other spices.
The 20th annual North Idaho Chili Cook-off had 15 entries from students, faculty and community members.
“It’s open to anybody who wants to submit,” said Corban Hohl, president of the University of Idaho Food Science Club.
Some contestants have participated for five or six years, Hohl said.
The club charged $10 per entry, and the winner received a $50 prize. Local businesses donated gift certificates and other prizes for second through fifth places.
Money raised from selling the chili goes
to support Food Science Club activities for the year.
“It’s our major fundraiser for the Food Science Club,” Hohl said.
The bulk of the money goes toward trips to Portland and Sun Valley — Portland for the Northwest Food Processing Expo, and Sun Valley to help with the Institute of Food Technology intermountain regional meeting.
Hohl said the Northwest Food Processing Expo is a chance for students to make connections, tour food processing plants and learn about jobs.
At the IFT meeting, students get to make connections and work with a professional organization.
“It’s a really good way for students to get involved,” Hohl said.
Costello said his chili was inspired by former Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater. When a Texas senator tried to pass a resolution saying Texas had the best chili, Goldwater said, “Texans don’t know chili from shit.”
The last time Costello entered his chili in a cook-off, he lost to a vegan chili, which he said is an abomination.
“I’m glad I won,” Costello said. “I’m glad real chili won.”
Kasen Christensen can be reached at [email protected]