Houston’s Best Chili

Young Professionals, Secret Recipes and Barbecue Stars Add Up to One Hot Competition

By Shelby Hodge // Feb 27, 2018

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Taylor Russel, Jacob Melancon, Patrick Broussard, Stephen Newton, Brandon Harrison, Scott Ivers, Tony Tortorice

Albert Spiers, Annie Daugherty, Joshua Blount, Elizabeth Blount, Mary Ann Cuellar, Richard Mason

Richard Mason, Sara Brown, Julia Masera, Mary Ann Cuellar, Emily Sweet, Patrick Martin

Brian Gendron

Tin Roof Brewery

Casa Volunteers

Leila Zomorrodian, Katie Cash, Michelle Reingold, April Gough, Jodi Gough

Chili Tasters

Emily Henrikson, Erika Browne, Molly Mcafee

Katie Griffin

Laura Broussard, Jose Linardi, Karen Steffensen, Bryan Collins, Kierstin Thornhill

Photo Booth

What: The Young Professionals of Casa de Esperanza de los Niños eighth annual Chili Cook-off

Where: Kirby Ice House

PC Moment: Pass the Tums! Thirty teams competed with their secret recipes for all manner of chili concoctions ranging from red hot to gourmet and six judges had the task of selecting their faves. God bless judges Eric Sandler of CultureMap, Cathy Hernandez of KPRC Channel 2, Craig Linstrom of GR8 Plate Hospitality, Grant Pinkerton of Pinkerton BBQ, food blogger Kendra Lynch and restaurateur Kevin Strickland.

The judges’ fave was the entry presented by “It’s Always Yummy in Chili-Delphia.” Congrats to Eric Ivers, Patrick Broussard, Jacob Melancon and Stephen Newton.

Chairing the fiery fete were Elizabeth and Josh Blount, Mary Ann Cuellar and Richard Mason, and Annie Daugherty and Albert Spiers.

In addition to sampling the entries, more than 400 guests sipped on Tin Roof Brewery beer and bid their hearts out on a tempting silent auction.

Who: Frank Rynd, Janie and Todd Mason, Ally Hatz, Brian Gendron, Russ Morgan, Sara Brown, Jose Linardi, Laura Broussard, Claire and Greg Basset, Elizabeth Adkins, Scott Cummings, John Adkins, Ashley Brown and Caroline Dawson.