Warm Up & Bear Down Chili Cook Off November 11, 2012

It’s culinary school vs. momma’s recipe.  White table cloth vs. plastic.  Vegetarian vs. meat lovers...and chili is the muse!  On Sunday, November 11th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Chicago’s best chili cooks will congregate in Moonshine Brewing Company’s parking lot (1824 W Division) for another crazy cook-off and tailgate party.  In the tradition of Moonshine’s long-running “Rib-a-Que Smokeout,” the 4th Annual “Warm Up & Bear Down Chili Cook-Off” features up to 16 pro and amateurs competing for the Gilded Ladle trophy and a bowl full of cash - as voted on by the public.  There's an extra bonus this year, as the winning chili will be featured on Moonshine’s permanent menu (with company name and logo) for at least one month following the event!
 
In anticipation of the prime time show-down between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans that evening (7:20 pm start), Moonshine will transform their backyard into the biggest tailgating party outside Soldier Field.  In addition to chili mayhem outside, football game action will be featured inside all day long on the wall-to-wall high def big screens and state-of-the-art sound system.  And for those lucky sun-of-a-guns with Bears tickets, party buses to / from the game will be available on-site!     
 
To help extinguish that blistering chili heat, Moonshine’s head brewer JD McCormick will be serving his ice-cold handcrafted brews, with a featured Moonshine beer going for $4. Other specials include: Moonshine’s famous Bloody Mary Bar available from 10am to 5pm, $5 Jameson (Rocks, Neat & Tall Charges Will be Applied), $3.50 Coors Light 22 oz. Stadium Cups $12 Miller Lite buckets and half-off wings.
 
About the Judging and Contestants
Judged by the people, contestants are encouraged to invite their friends to offer friendly weighting to the audience vote!  First prize wins $500 cash, the Gilded Ladle trophy and Moonshine menu placement for one month, second prize gets $250 cash, and third prize gets $100 cash.  Contestants include The Fifty/50, Banh Mi & Co, Moonsshine, Kevin Salvi with Brew Bus, Krissy Joseph, Jesse Reuben Jaurez, Jon Jamieson (with a Pot Full of Pig Chili) – among others.

For those interested in participating, contact Greg Bauer at moonshinechicago@gmail.com.     
 
About Tickets and Admission
In advance: $5 with warm coat donation, $10 with no coat, $5 for roundtrip shuttle to/from Soldier Field.
At door: $10 with warm coat donation, $15 with no coat, $10 for roundtrip shuttle to/from Soldier Field.
*Advance tickets sold through Ticketweb.com.
**Admission grants unlimited chili tastes, or at least until the pots run dry!
***Coat Drive sponsored by 1st Ward Alderman Proco Joe Moreno