It is FINALLY starting to feel like fall on the Grand Strand. Less people? Check! Cooler temperatures? YES, THANK HEAVENS! Oyster roasts? More and more are getting underway! Chili cookoffs? First one of the season – DONE!
I went to the Lip Smackin’ Chilyrumpus Chili Cookoff this past Sunday, and it was AWESOME! It was a beautiful, chili day… pun intended… with 29 chili samples from 26 local businesses, organizations, restaurants and families on the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet, specifically around the Wicked Tuna/Tuna Shak area, competing in numerous categories!
Rule #1 of chili cookoffs – NO WHITE! LOL
No two samples were the same – not even close actually. The teams got creative with this classic fall staple. Each group set up a 10×10 tent in the parking lot or grassy area and came prepared to serve a variety of recipes in aluminum pans, big, round pots and chafing dishes. Each one containing a unique take on chili. Everything from plant based to vegan to three meats to hot to so-darn-SPICY that you need a drink and some Tums stat! The warm mixture was served up in little white cups and enjoyed with a little wooden spoon (or one you brought from home).
One bite into the Pawley’s Island Tavern chili and my mouth was FLAMING! Apparently, theirs wasn’t even the hottest…
While you were filling up on food, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and New South Brewing were serving up drinks, some very talented and locals musicians were playing on stage, and craft vendors were selling merchandise.
And all for a very good cause. Proceeds went towards the Adaptive Surf Project. They believe that individuals who happen to have a disability can surf and reach the highest levels of surfing!
Good times were had by everyone!
It was SUNDAY FUNDAY in a nutshell. Mark your calendars for next year. You won’t want to miss it!
Did you go? What was YOUR fav?
I really happened to enjoy the taco-topped sample from J-Mike’s Flavor Station!
