Over a dozen local chefs competed in the second annual “It’s Getting Chili in Soul City” event on Saturday.
A team of five who make up the Austin African American Business Networking Association board – Malcolm Crawford, Shirley Fields, Sharmine Rickett, Ronald Smith and Marshawn Felton – created the chili contest last year.
“It will bring out all types of people in all walks of life. Not only can we enjoy it, everyone can enjoy it. I can take part in it, and it’s something really fun, and it’s competitive,” Fields said.
Ten chili flavors were judged at AAABNA headquarters, 5820 W. Chicago Ave., using four criteria – flavor, aroma, heat and creativity. A few were vegan chilis, and one was created by Urban Essentials Coffee Cafe.
“People are starting to really come out with some unique chilies,” said Crawford, AAABNA’s longtime executive director. “Chili is one of those things that everybody gets. They can cook generational recipes.”
Two retired Chicago Public School lunch ladies, Shirley Howard and Shirley McClain, worked together as team Shirley – and won this year’s contest.
Three hours and six pounds of ground turkey went into the process of creating “Shirley’s Chili.”
“I started to look up recipes where I put my own twist instead of doing the way they say. I did my own thing,” McClain said.
The Shirley’s took home a 1st place pot of chili trophy along with a pink classic 290 varsity letterman jacket given by Jason and James Hill, owners of 290 Fashion Wear.
“Our chili is special because I pray and ask God … that’s my secret. I put a lot of love and special attention to it,” McClain said.
Tina Augustus of the West Side Chamber of Commerce took home the 2nd place pot of chili trophy. And coming in 3rd place was Mary Proetti.
During Saturday’s event, Kevin “KJaz” Graham performed along with John McQueen, providing live music. Crawford even got a chance to sing the blues on stage.
About 100 people attended the free event. Some customers ate more than one bowl of chili. Maretta Brown-Miller had five bowls. She was excited to come together for another exciting event in Austin.
“I’m feeling full. … I enjoyed the different textures to different tastes. It was just so fun,” she said.
Brown-Miller said she couldn’t choose her favorite; all of them were delectable.
Kim Stewart was invited by her neighbor Diana Graham, a community activist. Stewart, who ate two bowls, said the 1st place Shirley’s chili was her favorite.
Four judges, including Judge Owens J. Shelby, conducted blind taste tests of each chili, scoring them on a scale from one to 10.
Fields said she chose chili for the now annual event because in Black culture, chili is a staple and it’s a comfort food.
“We want to really make this really something special for our community and for African Americans in this movement,” she said.
