Politicos shine during first appearance in chili contest
As a political reporter, I always aim to be objective and nonpartisan in my reporting.
I will not succeed this time.
The Jefferson County Young Republicans served a vegetarian chili Saturday at the 11th Annual North County Chili Cook-Off that was so tasty, it had me seriously reconsidering if my own chili concoctions ever needed meat again.
Brian Peck, the group's president, said the four-bean recipe was a creation of his sister-in-law, Maria. Mr. Peck dubbed it "the chili that ended the Cold War," and dressed in a "Point Break"-esque Ronald Reagan mask to sell each scoop. Julia Robbins got style points for breaking out a Reagan/Bush '84 T-shirt, while Jeremiah Maxon sold his role as a Secret Service agent by diving on the dead president whenever anyone made a sound approximating gunfire. John Peck, Maria's husband and treasurer of the Young Republicans, offered no shtick. He just served the damn fine chili.
The group made more than six gallons, but ran out of stock around 1:30 p.m., Brian Peck said.
Few people, however, pushed their chili harder than the Dynamic Donkeys, a group of energetic Jefferson County Democratic committee members and Young Democrats who offered up a tasty buffalo chicken chili near the front entrance of the Dulles State Office Building. Their table, replete with "Dems the Party" balloons for the kids, moved 10 gallons of Mike Kinnie's recipe by 1 p.m., according to the local party committee's official blog.
Their chili was the one I had most anticipated tasting before I came and I was not disappointed.
In total, I sampled about 20 bowls of chili from various groups before my insides declared, "No mas!"
When it came time to help pick the "People's Choice Award" recipient, my wife and I couldn't agree on a favorite. I liked the bourbon-marinated steak added to the Ives Hill Retirement Community's brew, while she enjoyed the sweet and spicy offering that I think came from the North Country Children's Clinic.
We both, agreed, however that the Republicans' chili was a close second.
While neither party could round up enough supporters to take home top prizes, they both are to be commended for taking part for the first time in an event that raises needed funds for the Volunteer Transportation Center. Kudos to everyone who came out Saturday.
