Cajun Creations Reign Supreme At Brooklyn's Chili Takedown
By Siobhan Wallace
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Over 25 competitors showed up at Brooklyn's The Bell House Sunday afternoon for the 9th Annual Chili Takedown.
There was an incredible number of meat-based chili varieties, with only one vegetarian chili and one vegan chili in the mix. Ultimately, it was a Cajun-based creation that took home the People's Choice crown.
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The Chili Takedown started in Matt Timms' Brooklyn apartment years ago. Since then, it has evolved to take over the The Bell House's performance space. All of the competitors are required to bring their version of chili for judges and the audience.
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The competition had a wide variety of chili concoctions, including one coming in its own small jalapeno bread bowl, and ones topped with candied bacon and roasted pumpkin seeds.
But it was two Cajun inspired chilies that caught everyone's attention. One involved both shrimp and alligator meat, and the other ended up being a sure-fire winner.
"Becky's Bayou Chili" had a few meats involved including a special order of tasso straight from Louisiana. Tasso ham is a spicy version of smoked pork made from pork shoulder butt.
Having this unique ingredient worked well because the mixture ended up winning the Peoples Choice award.
The next scheduled Takedown will be the Cookie Takedown also happening at The Bell House in December.
The Bell House
149 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 643-6510
thebellhouseny.com
Siobhan Wallace is the co-founder of BlondieandBrownie.com.
