This guest post was written by Mack, an Edmonton-based geek who fancies himself a part-time foodie. You can find him online at his blog, and on Twitter.

Scotia Place hosted the 19th Annual Chili Cook Off yesterday during lunch time. Eighteen teams competed for the title of “Ultimate Chili”. Anyone could buy a “bowl” of chili for $2, with all proceeds going to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. Yes, bowl in quotations. I realize the event is for charity, but the bowls were more like Dixie cups. You could barely fit a plastic spoon inside to scoop out the chili!

Scotia Place packed with chili lovers

I decided to buy two. The first chili I tried was from Tantus Solutions Group. Theirs consisted of ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, brown beans, pepperoni, garlic, chili peppers, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, chili powder, parsley, and salt/pepper. They served it with grated cheese and few small tortilla chips. It was tasty, but it didn’t blow me away or anything.

Chili from Tantus

The Mexican-themed Tantus cooks

The second bowl I bought was from the Delta Edmonton Centre Suite Hotel. Their chili was made of bison sirloin, black beans, kernel corn, onions, red peppers, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, fresh chopped jalapenos, paprika, cayenne, crushed chilis, garlic, honey, and apple wood smoked cheddar. They served it with a cheese biscuit on top. I’m so glad they had printed copies of the recipe to take, because the chili was absolutely delicious! Definitely worth the $2.

“Ultimate Chili” from Delta

I didn’t stick around long enough to find out who won the title of “Ultimate Chili” but Jerry told me today that it was Delta! Well-deserved, in my opinion.

I had never been to the Chili Cook Off before, but I’ll be back next year.