A staple of Southwestern fare, the classic bowl of chili is the go-to comfort food of many locals.
To celebrate chili’s popularity, Southwest Open School teacher Casey Simpson pulled off a well-attended chile contest Thursday featuring seven competitors.
“Everyone family has their own recipe, and it’s cheap to make,” Simpson said. “What better way to serve the community a meal than a chile contest?”
Senior Kate Wright and her mom took top honors, serving up the family’s green chili.
“I grew up on it,” Kate said. “We make it with chicken, and spicy green chilies. It’s also great for Navajo tacos.”
She seemed to revel in a her friend Chubs’ reaction to her hot recipe. “He turned red and started sweating, but kept on eating. It’s good.”
Junior Quincy Brito took second in a tie with Rita Stramell, and third place went to Cottin Klumker-Rodd. Brito made a more mild red version with green peppers, plus another style with a little kick.
“I served up four gallons in 40 minutes,” she said. “I like that it went so fast. “It’s simple, not too spicy, and easy to put over hotdogs.”
She and her mom modeled the recipe off of their favorite Wendy’s chili, adding ideas they got from the Internet.
“We saw so many varieties, like adding elk meat,” Brito says.
The contest was part of the annual Fall Fest alumni party at SWOS, which also featured the local band Wake Up Laughing.
On the perfect fall day, the campus was filled with students and families clutching bowls of homemade chili while enjoying the live music.
Alumni Kenzie Lopez, Class of 2015, came for the good food, but also to stay connected with her favorite school.
“This place changed my life, and the chili is good too,” she said. “This school is like a family to me, and these celebrations keep me connected.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com