FCS classses spice things up in Chili Cookoff

NPHS+FCS+classes+held+a+chili+cook-off+last+Friday.+Pictured+are+two+of+the+contest+entries+in+classes+taught+by+Mrs.+Joelle+Townsend+and+Mrs.+Diane+Galaton+at+North+Penn+High+School.+

Daelin Brown

NPHS FCS classes held a chili cook-off last Friday. Pictured are two of the contest entries in classes taught by Mrs. Joelle Townsend and Mrs. Diane Galaton at North Penn High School.

TOWAMENCIN – At the first annual FCS Chili Cook-off, in honor of the Super Bowl, eight different types of chili, made by FCS major students in classes taught by Mrs. Diane Galaton and Mrs. Joelle Townsend, were tasted by selected teacher-judges in an effort to determine the best final product. During each lunch period on Friday, February 3rd the chili was tasted and scored in multiple categories. In the end the group judged to have the best chili wins a prize.

“Within each class the students each had a chance to make four different chilis that they researched and chose themselves. They made a shopping list, we went shopping for them, and then they prepared the first round of chilis. Within the classes they voted for the best one, and the top two of each class made the final,” said FCS teacher Mrs. Joelle Townsend.

25 different teachers and administrators were invited by the students of the food classes to participate in the judging of the chili. The first kitchen included Granny’s Banging Beef, a family recipe, and the White Chicken Chili. The second kitchen had Pork and Beef Chili and a Turkey Chili. The next kitchen had A Pioneer’s Veggie Chili, with no meat, and the Pork and Pintos Chili, The last kitchen included the Mexican Chicken Chili and the White Bean and Pork Chili. Trying to be diverse with the different type of chili and meats used in them, all 8 of them were unique in looks and taste.

Daelin Brown
NPHS fodd science classes held the 1st annual Chili Cook-off last Friday at NPHS.

“The White Chicken chili is my favorite so far. I like how they are diverse, there are a lot of different flavors, a lot of different options and kind of ingredients. Everything is nice, but I’ve never had a chicken Chili before, so that peaked my interest. There was a lot of variety and a lot of different spices involves, so it was all pretty good,” said learning coordinator and judge Daniel Grunmeier.

The judges enjoyed tasting the various flavors of Chili. A majority of the judges liked all the chili, but each had their favorite due to what type of meat and spices one preferred. The vegetable chili was popular because usually when people think of chili they think of meat being involved.

“The chili was all very good, some were a little more outstanding than others. They had nice texture, taste and flavor. This is a nice idea. There were some, me personally, I didn’t care for as much, and others that were very good,” said math teacher Robert Shettsline.

After tallying up the scores of all the different chilis, Granny’s Banging Beef Chili came out on top as the winner. Townsend hopes to make this chili cook-off an annual thing, and to expand on the idea further next year.