While the camera work on the show Throwdown with Bobby Flay tries to make all the contestants look shocked when Flay challenges them, I suspect that all of them would accept the challenge even if they knew about it in advance. Some, like this week's contestant, Cindy Reed Wilkins, would definitely take him up because even though Flay is a chef with decades of professional experience under his belt, she has a room full of prestigious trophies that say her chili is one of the best Texas-style chilis in the world. And as she said, you have to be competitive to be great.
The chili cookoff was interesting because it introduced the viewer to the world of cooking competition chilis, which are made according to strict rules (In fact, the rule that contestants aren't allowed to fire guns or use pyrotechnics during the compettitions just seems downright unfair) that would not be known to the average home cook. Wilkins provided some great tips on how to make a competition chili, from what kind of ingredients to use to how big to cut the chunks of beef (3/8-in.).
Cindy faced off against Flay in front of her family and a whole group of friends from the competition chili circuit. And whose chili reigned supreme after the throwdown, which was judged by professional chili judges?
It was a tie, and both contestants seemed happy with that. Cindy's silk texture was praised and Flay's got points for sweetness. His secret ingredient was chocolate and, while Cindy didn't let all her secrets come out on the show, you can buy her Cin Chili online.
More Throwdowns:
What Can I Get You Folks? - Eating Out for Thanksgiving
In Defense of Guy Fieri
'Top Chef Vegas' - And Then There Were Five
