Recap: A Full Plate's 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of being a judge at A Full Plate's 1st Annual Chili Cook-off at Liberty Lands Park in Northern Liberties. I've judged before for A Full Plate's Rib Cook-off (look for that event some time later this year), and it's always a good time to get outdoors and critically rate food with fellow food lovers, whether you're on a judging panel or part of the crowd casting your vote for people's favorite.

The great thing about A Full Plate's cook-offs is that they don't leave out the vegans and vegetarians. Competitors in the chili cook-off were strongly encouraged to make a vegan chili for the event (most did), and A Full Plate's buffet of sides also had vegan and vegetarian offerings.Before it was time to judge, I had the boy get me a plate of mac and cheese and a seitan-based hot dog made by Shannon Dougherty, co-owner and chef of A Full Plate. All of the chili that came my way at the judging table was good, but one stood out far above the others, at least in my eyes — the chili with black beans and tempeh topped with fried tofu and scallions. When judging, we have no idea of which team made what chili, and we aren't allowed to walk around the main event prior to judging, so after I was done with my official duties I made my way around the tables to find out who made my favorite chili.

It was Kraftwork. Good job guys!

Yet, Kraftwork's vegan chili didn't win any awards, despite my awarding them high scores. Shouldn't the vegetarian's vote count more? Just kidding. I'm all for fairly tabulated results.
Above is the first place trophy awarded to Darling's Diner for their vegan chili. Second place in the vegan chili category went to PYT.

All winners:

Red chili, professional
1st - Higher Grounds Café
2nd - PYT

Red chili, amateur
1st - Pork Barrel Politics
2nd - Bigg Rigg

White chili, professional
1st - PYT
2nd - Kraftwork

White chili, amateur
1st - Bigg Rigg
2nd - Pork Barrel Politics

Vegan chili, professional
1st - Darling's Diner
2nd - PYT

Vegan chili, amateur
1st - I Wanna Hallucinate Too
2nd - Chili That Will Get You Lei'd

People's Choice
1st - Higher Grounds Café
2nd - Darling's Diner