Chili Cookoff: You Cumin?

The NHB Chili Cookoff kicks off on Saturday, October 11th, at 2:00 p.m. at Shady Tavern in the Heights. Compeitors will need to be there earlier, around 10:00 a.m., to start the cooking (but you really ought to know that already if you're competing...). We first told you about the cookoff back in August, which means you should have had plenty of time to round up your team and come up with a killer recipe. But if you aren't a chili competitor and are more of a chili connoiseur, then the NHB Chili Cookoff is still right up your alley.

A whopping five dollars gets you a wristband good for one bowl and one spoon, which is in turn good for all-you-can-eat chili. You'll also be treated to live music alongside your chili, with a few surprise bands playing from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You like surprises, don't you? Of course you do.

Along with your chili and music, you'll also get one bright and shiny vote, which will be used for the People's Champ Award. And if the four judges are hopelessly deadlocked over one of the other four awards -- Best In Show, Most Original, Spiciest and Most Traditional -- then your votes will be used as tie-breakers. There are nearly twenty teams competing this year, so you'll definitely have plenty of options and a big decision to make at the end.

What could go better with the beautiful, crisp, fall-esque weather we've been having lately than a steaming hot bowl of chili? Nothing. And that's why you need to be at Shady Tavern (the best hidden treasure of an icehouse you never knew existed) next Saturday afternoon, beer in one hand and chili in the other. Houstonist will be there (and will, in fact, be one of the judges) -- and hopefully we'll see our 11 readers there, too.

2nd Annual No Holds Barred Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, October 11th, 2:00 p.m.
$5.00 per person
The Shady Tavern
1206 West 20th Street
713.869.7000

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Very cool illustration of Hobo #218 (Chili-Mix Wilma Bensen) courtesy of Flickr user dutchb0y through a Creative Commons license.