By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer
PELHAM – Chili lovers and Guinness enthusiasts will gather at Pelham’s Campus 124 on Saturday, Feb. 7, as The Beer Hog hosts the 10th Annual Guinness Chili Cook-Off from 2–6 p.m., combining creative cooking, live entertainment and a cause that continues to grow each year.
The milestone event brings together teams from across the Birmingham area to compete for the coveted Grand Champion title by crafting chili recipes that creatively incorporate Guinness Stout. Winners are chosen by a rotating panel of judges, and the Grand Champion’s name is etched onto the McKnight Trophy, along with a prize package.
Additional awards include “Most Creative,” which highlights innovative uses of Guinness in the recipe, and “People’s Choice,” determined by votes from the public.
“This milestone represents 10 years of us being in business in Pelham,” said Beer Hog owner Chris Lawrence. “We’ve grown a lot in those 10 years; we’ve met a lot of people, made a lot of friends. The Chili Cook-Off has grown a lot over the years since we started.”
Lawrence said the event expanded significantly after partnering with the Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports families with terminally ill children. Proceeds from the cook-off benefit the organization.
“Since they joined it’s gotten much bigger,” Lawrence said. “They put a lot of work into this event in an effort to raise money for their charity. This year we’re expecting to raise the most money for Wings of Hope and have the most amount of contestants we’ve ever had, as well as the biggest turnout.”
Guinness plays a central role in what makes the competition unique. Rather than simply adding the beer to chili, teams are encouraged to find creative culinary applications.
“Guinness is a really good fit when it comes to chili recipes,” Lawrence said. “It has a roasty, almost bitter, chocolatey taste. It pairs well with spicy foods. People aren’t just dumping Guinness into their chili and stirring it up. They’re marinating meats, making side dishes and coming up with different ways to incorporate Guinness.”
Judging focuses on aroma, taste and creativity, with professional palates evaluating each entry.
Dining and Cooking