Some foods just taste better depending on the weather. For example, while smoothies are great all year round, they are arguably much better in the summer. Likewise, I strongly agree that warm soup tastes the best in the fall and winter (Maybe spring, depending on the temperature). On the day of the Chili Cook-Off, I was a bit worried about the forecast of rain and the low temperature. In preparation, I had bundled myself to the extent that the motility of my arms was severely restricted by the many layers of cloth. However, after getting a chance to try the chili, I was convinced that the weather added to the experience rather than detracting from it.

This was my first experience with chili, and I was pleasantly surprised by the different kinds that I got to try. In total, I tried five different types of chili and each of them had a distinctive flavour. For this very reason, I can’t point out my favourites. For example, the Cayuga Medical Centre chili had a very generous distribution of meat, which would be great for days when I have a larger appetite. On the other hand, the maple chili at Moosewood would be great if I was looking for a lighter dish for lunch or dinner. The other chilis that I tried were the ones made by: Cornell Catering, Ithaca Bakery and Greenstar.

Another aspect that I appreciated was the versatility of chili and it’s sides/pairings. Greenstar’s chili had an interesting smoky flavour, which added to the experience of eating warm food on a cold day. The chili that I got from Ithaca Bakery came with a cube of toasted bread. The ‘crunch’ contrasted the fairly stew-like texture of the chili. Additionally, it was reminiscent of dipping toast in soup, which is something that I’m very fond of. Another interesting topping was that of the fried onions on the chili made by Cornell Catering. Again, it added great texture to the dish. I also enjoyed its sweet flavour, which contrasted the rich chili.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this experience. I got to taste very good food, and did not count the minutes left to getting back indoors, as I usually do during winter. Also, chili is deceivingly filling. I’ll keep this in mind for the Chili Cook-Off next year!