Time for chili

The weather spirits must have been smiling down on the Sun staff yesterday. Cooler weather finally arrived in time for our annual Chili Cookoff to benefit the local United Way. Winners were Lisa O'Rourke, best overall; Sarah Bozone, hottest; Kendra Payne, meatiest; Dusty Luthy, beaniest, and John Wright, most unusual.

The cookoff always creates a spirit of competition in our office and particularly in my kitchen at home. John begins working on his chili recipe the night after the cookoff for the following year. Last year, he concocted a completely new recipe that involved grilling a beef tenderloin outside before adding it the tomato and bean mixture. I can't give away all of his secret ingredients.

This year he returned to his old standby, an unusual creation of a white chili. But this is not a chicken based white chili. When he first told me that he wanted to combine Great Northern Beans with ham, I thought it would be the most disgusting thing on the planet. When he first made it, the mixture turned out kinda brown, definitely not appetizing. As he continued to add cheese and sour cream, the mixture turned beige and gave off a nice aroma. His version of white chili certainly is different. Even our picky 7 1/2-year-old will eat it.

And before you ask for his recipe, sorry. It's like Duke, the Bush's bean dog. I'm not talking. The secret has to remain a secret. Also, I wouldn't begin to know exactly what all he puts into it. He won't let me go to the grocery with him, and I'm usually not in the kitchen for his creation.

P.S. - I did ask for Lisa's recipe. It's actually from her sister. When I get it, I'll post it.