Hot & Spicy Chili Throwdown A Success! (With Video)

Whatever you call it - a "Chili Cookoff," "Chili Contest," or celebrity chef Bobby Flay's favorite saying "Chili Throwdown," - the end results from five Culinary II students at The Morgan School were delicious.

Taking part in the April 15 chili cook-off contest were Mike Bianchi, Nate Castracane, Cole Garrison, Jeremiah Gibbs and Tyler Knapp.

The event was organized by Joanne Nunan, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at the school.

Each student prepared a pot of chili from a recipe of their choosing. They had exactly one hour for preparation, chopping, slicing and simmering. At the end of the hour, the chili was judged by a panel of volunteer judges. The judges were unaware of which chili was prepared by which chef and saw just the numbers #1-5 on their bowls of chili.

Judges included Superintendent of Schools Jack Cross, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Maryann O'Donnell, Morgan Math Teacher Mike Underwood, Morgan Math Teacher Lori Clemente, Morgan English Department Director Paul Serenbetz, Food Services Director for Clinton Public Schools Jon Siciliano, and Editor of the Clinton Patch Fay Abrahamsson.

The five very different chili's were judged on appearance, texture, color, flavor and after-taste.

And now for the results of the first annual chili throwdown!

In third place… Chef Tyler Knapp with his one-hour chili. Judges thought his chili was “nice and spicy,” and had a "great combination of heat and flavor!"

In second place… Chef Cole Garrison with a family favorite.  Judges commented that his chili had “awesome flavor," and was "a little sweet which made a good difference from the other entries.”

And in first place…Chef Mike Bianchi with a beef chili.  One judge said his chili was "perfect!"  Another commented that "it was creamy and had good balance."

Well done chefs!