Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
lip-rippin' time in the inlet
Since our politicians up on Capitol Hill keep yapping about transparency, let's start with full disclosure: I am a judge in Sunday's 10th annual Lip-Rippin' Chilympics Cook-Off benefit for the Surfrider Foundation held at Spud's Waterfront Dining/Crazy Sister Marina in Murrells Inlet.
This will be my third year judging this glorious gastronomic competition.
So I supposed I'm a little bit biased as I obviously enjoy it enough to keep coming back for more (and more antacid) and think it's a great event for a worthy cause, and I've seen it grow right before my very eyes since the days when a co-worker and I would joke about "chil-ocracies," and "chil-taterships'' ala "Bring It On''/"Not Another Teen Movie."
But, I am not a member of the Surfrider Foundation although I do know several of the members socially and through media-related connections. Maybe you were like me and not sure exactly what the foundation does other than organize area clean-ups of swashes and beaches? And host chili cook-offs.
So, I figured if I wanted to know more, maybe you, our dedicated readers, might like to find out what this eco-friendly organization is about, too.
What IS the Surfrider Foundation?
What does it do?
Who are these people?
What does chili have to with anything?
Ten years is a long time in Grand Strand years to keep something going - it's like dog years, you have to multiply it by seven to accurately gauge its longevity. Therefore, with the backdrop of the Chilympics celebrating a decade, we dispatched correspondent Ian Guerin to find out what the Surfrider Foundation is all about, and you can read his report on page 12. Details are also included about the Chilympics in case you want to attend.
In addition, knowing that you like to eat, we tapped local food writer Becky Billingsley to round up a few other vittles-based fests that will coming in the next few days and weeks to our happy little seaside outpost. Turn to page 13 for her report.
As for judging food contests, I guess it should be no surprise judging from my expanding gut that I've scarfed down grub in the name of competition before. But truthfully, it's not as easy as it sounds. After about the tenth little Dixie Cup-sized sample of chili, you do tend to get a little full. And a couple of years ago, before getting even half-way through the number of chilis I was supposed to sample and judge, I came across one that was like eating molten lava. I had to sit down, compose myself, drink a couple of beers and shake it off. I'm man enough to admit I think I shed a few tears, too.
Mercifully, the judges are supplied with a roll of Tums and tickets to get beverages to douse the fire, so the Surfrider folks aren't complete sadists.
Joining me as judges are Cecil Chandler of WBTW, Surfside Beach Mayor Allen Deaton rounding out the so-called celebrity category, and supplemented by "Regular Joe Chili Tasters" (according to the Grand Strand Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation's Co-Chair Bruxanne Hein): Marc Baudet, owner of Forever Green Landscaping; Dan Burgess, owner of Sandpiper Homes; John Rizk, manager of Pawleys Island Tavern; Craig Keefer, owner of The Truck Farm; Jeff Gore, owner of J&J's Butcher Shop; Eric Chantron, a Time Warner Cable technician; and Todd Fogle, manager of Forever Green Landscaping. Local musician Billy Wright is tabbed as an alternate judge, Hein said, in case someone drops out.
In the meantime, I'm trying to come up with my own chili judging kit to bring to Sunday's proceedings, but hadn't quite figured it out at press time. It needs to be a portable mini-table or stand that I can tote around easily to rest my chili samples and beverages on while I write down my scores and thoughts (yes, you have to actually write and think about this stuff), and also something that I can lock the scoring papers down with so they won't blow away in the Inlet breeze. Maybe it's some kind of utility belt with holsters?
"Shark tank'' here I come!