NYChiliFest 2012

NYChiliFest 2012 (1/29/12)

Chelsea Market

New York, NY

http://chilifest2012.com/

Should you try? Yes, go in 2013.

ChiliFest

The NYChiliFest was the ultimate samplefest, with 22 different restaurants or food trucks out to make the best chili imaginable.  The 2012 competition is now over, but mark it on your calender for next year.  The event was well run and the diverse crowd created a fun atmosphere.  Plus, the proceeds went to Food Systems NYC, a group dedicated to promoting human and environmental health and supporting regional foods.

ChiliFest

You could either opt for unlimited chili ($45) or unlimited chili and Sam Adams ($55).  There was a bit of a line to get in since the tickets were picked up at the door, but upon entrance you received a souvenir bowl and went to town.  There were maybe 150-200 people so it did get a bit crowded at times, but nothing unbearable.

Lined up along Chelsea Market’s main concourse, each competitor had their own station, and Lucy’s Whey Cheese Girls walked around with varieties of their cheese.  Dickson’s Farmstand Meats supplied each of the chef’s with 100% dry-aged, locally-raised beef as the base for their chili.  After trying chili from each of the competitors, there were some that definitely stood out and several that I didn’t care for at all.  Of all the competitors, I thought the ones in bold below were the best.  The champ?  Congrats to La Palapa!

Competitors

• Back Forty
• Bark Hot Dogs
• Beer Table
• The Brooklyn Star – RUNNER UP
• Co.
• Cookshop
• craftbar
• Fatty ’Cue
• Fette Sau
• Friedman’s Lunch
• Gramercy Tavern
• Jimmy’s No. 43
• La Palapa – WINNER
• Mast Brothers Chocolate
• Mile End
• Morris Grilled Cheese
• Northern Spy Food Co.
• Porchetta/Porsena
• Roberta’s
• Tacombi
• Trestle on Tenth
• Vinegar Hill House

Recommendations for the event next year:

• Add stations with water to drink
• Place the band in the main concourse so everyone can enjoy the music

And because everyone asked? My stomach wasn’t too bad the day after.

ChiliFest

ChiliFest

ChiliFest

ChiliFest