From now until the 2014 Chili Jamboree emcee cries "ladles IN!", we're profiling each contestant's uniquely-crafted chili.
Smokehouse 21
Smoked hog head pozole, crispy pig ears (Pictured above is Smokehouse 21's brisket)
DESCRIPTION: BJ Smith, whose popcorn-adorned chili performed remarkably well in the voting last year, has a cavalier and mystic attitude about describing this year's new chili entry, offering only [quote], "its awesome because i am smoking hog heads[.]" Smith's BBQ is widely held to be among the best in the city; I have attested to this repeatedly, in both word and deed (the eating deed).
Lardo
I Left My Wallet in El Segundo
DESCRIPTION: Lardo founder Rick Gencarelli says of his chili, "It's inspired by my 1989 trip across country from Brooklyn to the coastal town of El Segundo in a '74 Dodge Dart with my friends Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Mohammed. We got lost along the way and being very hungry we stopped at a nice little pub in the middle of nowhere. Q-Tip got enchiladas and he ate 'em, Ali had the fruit punch. I will be bringing to the Chili Jam what I had that day - Smoked brisket and short rib chili cheeseburger with fried Jalapeños and American cheese. Someday we just might go back and get that wallet. I gotta get it, I got got to get it!" I confirmed with Rick that his chili will actually be served on small hamburgers, to everyone, on the big day.
A heartfelt thanks to our sponsors: Nicky USA, Jack Daniel's, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Daiya Vegan Cheese.
