Today at 11 a.m. on the second floor of the atrium, ACC hosted our annual Chili Cook Off competition.  Students lined up in hopes of trying some delicious homemade chili varieties; however, instead they were treated to one spectacular recipe and some wonderful catered chili.

Pearl Vigil, supervisor in the custodial department, was the only contestant and de facto winner.  It is likely that she would have won anyway with her stellar Green chili, made with all the love and care a good chef can produce.

By the time I arrived on the scene, about twenty minutes in, this was all that was left.

Still, students lined up one by one to enjoy either meat or vegetarian chili provided by a catering company. The atrium was loaded with condiments and corn rolls, neatly presented with a bouquet of flowers to really class the event up.

Among the offerings were: Fritos, Goldfish, onions, cheese, and crackers.  Hot sauces were also provided for those with a penchant for a little spicy kick in their lives.  ACC staff doled out as much chili as a person could handle, and nobody went hungry.

The air was full of chatty students discussing classwork, social life, their aspirations, and busily stuffing their gullets with as much messy goodness as possible.  It was certainly fortunate napkins were provided.  I, myself, had to clean my mustache off several times as I couldn’t gulp it down fast enough, and the ordeal made a mess of the scraggly rat on my face.

A table had been set up near the library full of art utensils, and paper for the creative types.  I’m not entirely certain if there wasn’t some hope people would be making pictures by smearing chili all over it, but after inspection, it seemed clear nobody had gotten the idea.  It was spotless.  I was shocked, but quickly realized that this must be because everyone was so engrossed by the food provided for them.  Hungry, hungry students have no time for games.  There was eating to be done.

Scheduled until 3 p.m., the demand was so high that by the time my class let out at a 1:45 p.m., the place was cleared out, and only a lonely styrofoam bowl of Goldfish was left for people wandering by with a hankering for a small snack.  I almost took the whole thing.

Overall, it was a resounding success, even if participation wasn’t as high as expected.

Congrats to Pearl Vigil for her win, and we all thank you deeply for providing us with such an excellent dish.  We hope you’ll do it again next year.