Autumn is here. The weather is cooler now and as the growing season winds down, chili competitions become popular.
This one was held at the Dallas Farmers' Market. This was a little different than the usual chili cook-offs, in that it was entered by chefs and culinary schools in the area.

$10 bought you 10 tickets and you could taste 10 different chili recipes. They were all so different. Some were chunky, some more soupy, and they ranged from mildly spicy to "YOWZA... that's hot!" spicy. Most were made with beef, and one was made with lamb. And how about raisins in your chili? One was served with a tiny tasting cup of a margarita and another with corn spoonbread. But none of them were made with beans!
Now... I personally, like beans in my chile, but then... I am not a born-and-bred Texan.

Proceeds benefit the Texas Chefs' Association and Friends of the Dallas Farmers' Market. Winners will receive a $500 cash prize.

And the winners are:
1st Place:El Centro College’s Culinary Student Association’s “Foggy Bottom River Chili”
2nd Place: Chef Aimee’s Private Chef and Catering
3rd Place: Medical City of Dallas
People’s Choice Award: El Centro College’s Warriors of Lone Star and their “World Famous 3rd Place Chili”

It was a fun day out and we finished off our grazing with a cup of gelato at the market to cool our palates.