The Beef Chili Files – Part 2: Secrets From World Champs

MAKE YOUR BEEF CHILI SHINE WITH NOT-SO-OBVIOUS RECIPE HINTS FROM THE MASTERS.

Autumn’s in full swing in New England. The trees are vibrantly colorful, Tom Brady is back, and we’ve got beef chili on the brain. Inour first installment of the Chili Files, we talked chili basics. Today, we’re spilling the beans (sorry) and revealing not-so-obvious secrets from World Champion chili makers.

Chili for a Cause

Every year, the International Chili Society hosts officially sanctioned contests around the world. Their sole purpose is “to promote, develop, and improve the preparation and appreciation of true chili.” They’re no joke, either: as the largest food contest festival organization in the world, their 200 annual cook-offs have raised over$86 milliondollars for charities and nonprofit organizations.

Since 1967, the ICS has crowned a World Chili Champion in their annual marquee event. Champs take home a $25,000 check and a place in the annals of chili history. This year’s event takes place this weekend, promising unprecedented thrills with the Champion of Champions tournament.

What makes world champion chili? Fortunately, the ICS publishes a list of their champs alongside their winning chili recipes. Their recipes are far from simple – they’ve been crafted over years – but these unexpected themes are easy to incorporate into your own home cooked chili.