Back in 2011, Jesse sent me ticket info for the annual Brooklyn Chili Takedown with the intent of attending together...being the insane person that I am, I took that link as meaning we should enter said competition. That first year, we quickly realized we were a bit in over heads: competing in the hip Brooklyn neighborhood of Gowanus for an audience vote didn't just require a killer chili, but on-point toppings, "branding" and flair. Without signage, toppings or a name, our tasty Japanese wasabi chili did not place that year--but we took on the challenge for 2012 and have placed in every competition since (twice walking away with top-prize!). 

 

As such, we've developed a new from-scratch recipe every year (save for the year we got married, when we "recycled" the original Japanese recipe, but "hipster-rizing" it). Without fail, as the leaves start to change colors and a chill enters the once-humid air, Jesse and I start doing our first of many chili test-batches.

 

Also without fail, people ask us for the recipes, which we are happy to share: chili this good is meant to be eaten! After nearly six years, I've decided why forward the recipes off my iPad when we own this lovely domain? As such, I'm going to try and get all of our recipes uploaded. I do hope you enjoy them as much as we've enjoyed making them!