Annual 'Souper Bowl' Cook-Off Highlights Area's Best Chili

By Christina Georgiou

Local restaurants competed in the 19th Annual Souper Bowl of
Chili cook-off Sunday at Pearly Baker's in Downtown Easton.
Click on any photo for a full size view

Chef Jake Snyder said he started by smoking pork shoulder, belly and tenderloin, along with a variety of peppers on Wednesday, a process that took 20 hours. Once that was accomplished, he was ready to actually begin cooking the "Three-Way Pig Chili" that was to be his entry on behalf of Grumpy's Bar-B-Que Roadhouse in the 19th Annual Souper Bowl of Chili cook-off.

While some might think that's a lot of trouble, Snyder's efforts paid off in the form of taking first place in the People's Choice contest.

The line into Pearly Baker's Alehouse stretched out the
door and down the block as chili fans waited
patiently for the chance to sample 15 different kinds of
chili and vote for a favorite.

The chili cookoff, a favorite annual Easton event of those in the know, raised more than $2,000 for the Easton Farmers' Market on Sunday, with more than 400 paying $5 a head to sample 15 different chilies and vote for the best. Some waited hours in a line that stretched down the block for the privilege.

Four judges--Ed Stahley, Steve Flowers, State Representative Robert Freeman, and Pat Locquasta--also tried all the chilies.

Judges honored Horns in Bethlehem with top honors for their veggie and shortrib chili.

Two Rivers Brewing Company chef
Jeremy Bialker's entry , a mole
braised pork belly chili, won
third place in the judges hearts.

The Spinnerstown Hotel came
in second with a smoked porter chili
topped with a bit of fried mozzarella
stick and garlic-onion sour cream.

The Spinnerstown Hotel came in second with a smoked porter chili topped with a bit of fried mozzarella stick and garlic-onion sour cream.

Pearly Baker's served up two different chilies, which competed
with each other: "Wired Verde", which was a pork verde
simmered in Seattle's Best coffee, and "Breakfast of Champions"
a pork, ham, and bean chili with "a ton of onions" topped with
home fries and cheddar cheese. Between the two, "Breakfast"
won the day.

Jeremy Bialker's entry for Two Rivers Brewing Company in Easton, a mole braised pork belly chili, won third place in the judges hearts.

Pearly Baker's also offered two kinds of chili which competed against each other, but weren't part of the main competition.

"It wouldn't be fair," said Pearly Baker's executive  chef Peter Felton. "If we won, it would be like 'fix!'"

While smoked meats and pork were especially big this year, overall, the entries were as diverse as the eateries in the contest, and each seemed to reflect a bit of the philosophy of the restaurants themselves.

Daddy's Place served up a lamb
and white bean chili with distinctly Mediterranean hints

V-lish, which makes vegan soups, offered a sweet and spicy chili soup topped with carrot hummus, while Daddy's Place served up a lamb and white bean chili with distinctly Mediterranean hints typical of the Lebanese delicacies the new Northampton Street restaurant is fast becoming locally known for.

Others, such as Porters' Pub, went with tried-and-true for their entries.

"This is our house chili," said chef Derek Chimel. "We have it all day, every day."

Win or lose, though, the day was clearly a "win" for attendees. After all, how often does one get to have 15 different kinds of chili for Sunday brunch, possibly accompanied by a nice craft beer?

Thankfully, in Easton, the answer is: once a year.

Shawn Doyle of Savory Grille in Macungie
offered up his avocado creme fresh topped
chili with a smile.

A chili-lover votes for his favorite offering.

Pork and tomatillo chili, topped with cayenne popcorn was
Valenca's entry.

Chef Ricky Heinricks from the Spinnerstown
Hotel tops his chili creation with garlic
onion sour cream.

Weekend Guide, February 1 to 3

Can you believe it's February already?! It's a short month, so best to get out there and make the  most of it!

Friday, February 1

Dance: 7 to 10 p.m. Foxtrot instruction with Con Gallagher at 7 p.m., dancing withDJ Carol Coffinger 8 to 10 p.m. $10 per person, benefits Third Street Alliance. 41 North Third St. 610-433-7804

Line Dancing: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Beginner lessons at 7:15 p.m. $5 per person for members, $6 for non-members. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Rocky & His Friends: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Philadelphia Funk Authority, DJ LAX: Band at 8 p.m., DJ at 11 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 ehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

DJ Mikey Z: 10 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Only Living Boy: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

DJ Discreet: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Saturday, February 2

Easton Farmers' Market Winter Mart: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Doug Hawk plays at the market this week. Fresh, local organic produce, all-natural pastured meat, farm-fresh eggs, artisan cheese and bread, baked goods, prepared foods, more. Plus holiday arts mart featuring local crafters and exhibits. Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St. 610-253-4432 or www.eastonfarmersmarket.com

"Let’s Celebrate Valentine’s Day!": 10 a.m. to noon. A hug and smile a day keep the meanies away! Make a gift of kindness that you may give to someone in your life who needs your hug and smile to have a happy day. Kids' program at the Cops 'n Kids Reading Room. Free books for attending. Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562

Eastern Hellbenders: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

UFC 156, DJ Mike West: Band at 8 p.m., DJ at 11 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Frank DiBussolo: 9 p.m. The Lafayette Bar, 11 North 4th Street 610-252-0711 or www.lafayettebarjazz.com

Midnight Accord: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

The Ultra Kings: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Billy Bauer Band: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Sunday, February 3

18th Annual Super Bowl of Chili: 11 a.m. 16 local restaurants compete for the title of having the best chili. $10 per person. Proceeds benefit the Easton Ambassadors. Best to get there early! Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Artists' Talk: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Paint Box Art Club's Gala Winter Art Show, on display through Feb. 24. Gallery at St. John's, 330 Ferry St. 610-258-6119 or www.stjohnseaston.com/gallery

Open Mic Hosted by Jim Stocker: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

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