2018 Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser Is A Wonderful Success

Thanks to all the teams that participated in the 2018 Watermen’s Museum 14th Annual Chili Cook-off. Commercial restaurant teams signed up for the event included: Yorktown and Williamsburg’s Carrot Tree Kitchens, Chef K’s Tavern of Yorktown, Firehouse Coffee of Ft. Monroe, Yorktown’s Riverwalk Restaurant, and our newest Yorktown Historic are business Larry’s Lemonade. Independent teams included: M.E.A.T., 2 Bubbas con Carne, It’s a Little Chili, Zen Chill, and Ye Olde Tidemill Chili. The weather was nearly perfect, albeit a bit windy. But, we had one of the largest crowds in recent competitions. Music was provided by the Lou and Lauren of the LCV Project and was was wonderful (As an aside, LCV Project has supported our Museum with their wonderful sounds for nearly a decade!). All-in-all, it was a great day with decent weather, a wonderful assembly of different recipes, local and visiting chili tasters, great music, cool refreshments and Fun…lots of FUN!.

So, at this point, we bet you are wondering how everything turned out. But, hold on…we must first say that all the competitors were in it for the fun and to support of the Museum. Everyone collaborated to make the entire event a success. We can’t thank them enough for their continued support and for providing such great samplings of their culinary prowess. But, without further delay, here are the results of the judging and the competition for coveted People’s Choice Award…

Best Theme: Zen Chill – Hawaiian shirts, hammocks, sandy beaches and a chillin’ cold, gazpacho-style green, white-bean chili. The cold chili recipe was exceptionally good, too!

Most Original: Ye Olde Tidemill Chili – a tomato-based seafood chili that had wonderful seafood flavors…we’re a bit biased….this could be our favorite (after all, it was seafood and we are the Watermen’s Museum).

Best Commercial (Restaurant) Chili – Chef K Tavern – a wonderful sausage based chili with cheese and ‘fire in the bowl’ additional toppings.

Best Independent (Amateur) Chili – Ye Olde Tidemill Chili with their new seafood chili recipe…BTW they are the reigning 2015, 2016, 2017 People’s Choice Champions!

Best Judged Chili as Chosen by Our Panel of Discerning Judges – Chef K Tavern…WOW!!!

And 2018 People Choice Award is! FIREHOUSE COFFEE! Their recipe, by the Popular Vote, as the Best Tasting Chili in the Competition. And, although it wasn’t seafood, we must admit, the flavor was fantastic!

Congratulations to all of our award category winners and to everyone who participated in the event. This is a great fundraiser for the Watermen’s Museum and a fun event for everyone that participates or attends. Please mark the 2nd Saturday of November 2019 for next year’s event (your’s truly plans to win next year…so, bring your “A” game!). If you would like to challenge and compete, email admin@watermens.org for more info!