Chili Contest tomorrow!

Botch said:

fishlessman said:

so the allergy thing rules out soy, fish sauce, worcestershire sauce, shrooms. those are things i might add

Wow, this post hit me between the eyes, and the rest of the thread made it worse!  
I knew of allergies to peanuts, peaches, but that's about it; had no idea about all the other allergies mentioned above, including BOTH my secret ingredients, fish sauce and porcini powder.  I'll know tomorrow if I killed anyone; if I no longer post here you can assume the worst.  
 
I didn't win.  Despite what I said in the OP, that doesn't bother me, but when I saw less than half of the chili was even eaten, that kind've hurt.  I hate wasting food, and an estimated four bowls eaten, at $3 apiece, it would've been cheaper for me to just donate to whatever the cause was, directly.  The remainder had to sit in my truck for 4 hours afterwards, and thrown out.  The winning chili was VERY hot, so I guess that was the preference of the judge/judges.  
Two folks knew it was my chili and told me they really loved it, that was cool.  But I think I'm done with fundraisers and contests; when I cook for whoever wants it, it usually is gone by the end of mealtime.   

Botch said:

fishlessman said:

so the allergy thing rules out soy, fish sauce, worcestershire sauce, shrooms. those are things i might add

Wow, this post hit me between the eyes, and the rest of the thread made it worse!  
I knew of allergies to peanuts, peaches, but that's about it; had no idea about all the other allergies mentioned above, including BOTH my secret ingredients, fish sauce and porcini powder.  I'll know tomorrow if I killed anyone; if I no longer post here you can assume the worst.  
 
I didn't win.  Despite what I said in the OP, that doesn't bother me, but when I saw less than half of the chili was even eaten, that kind've hurt.  I hate wasting food, and an estimated four bowls eaten, at $3 apiece, it would've been cheaper for me to just donate to whatever the cause was, directly.  The remainder had to sit in my truck for 4 hours afterwards, and thrown out.  The winning chili was VERY hot, so I guess that was the preference of the judge/judges.  
Two folks knew it was my chili and told me they really loved it, that was cool.  But I think I'm done with fundraisers and contests; when I cook for whoever wants it, it usually is gone by the end of mealtime.   

Botch said:

fishlessman said:
I never knew you could buy the powder, ive been foodprocessing the dried stuff for years, really adds a meaty taste

I've not seen it locally, but bought a large package on Amazoid.
Cook's Illustrated did an extensive testing of umami, and found that both glutamates and nucleotides boost it, but combined the effect multiplies.  I've been putting a small, equal amount of each in most stews, sauces, soups, etc and it really makes the mouth water.  
In retrospect, learning that fish and mushroom allergies are common is good for me to know, and made the exercise worth it.  

Botch said:

My Maintenance Group is having a Chili Contest tomorrow, to help raise money for our Summer Picnic, or Xmas party, or something.  I think there's about 700 folks in the Group (when someone asks me, "How many people work in your Group?" I usually reply "About half of them."   )
I had about a 1/3 brisket (BGE, of course) still in the freezer, and started a batch of brisket chili tonight.  Thawed out the briskie, and I've developed a method of cutting it into cubes that works great with my elec knife with the straight blade; this blade has a straight cutting edge that allows my knuckles to clear the cutting board.  I'd cut 3 slices about 1/4" thick, against the grain, then flip and stack them vertically.  Cut them again, lengthwise, 3 to 4 strips, then rotate 90 degrees and cut into 1/4" cubes.  I broke that entire cut down into 1/4" cubes in less than three minutes, kowabunga!  
Threw them in the crockpot, along with fire-roasted tomatoes, cheekun broth, and onions/garlic/cumin/4 powdered chilies sauteed in oil until soft/fragrant.  Will let it all get cozy in the crockpot overnight on Low, throw in the pinto beans in the morning, and Judging is scheduled for 11.  
One Odd Requirement (thank you Uncle Sam): Entrants are required to list all their ingredients (supposedly to avoid any food allergy reactions).  Seriousry?!?  I plan on listing the ingredients I've mentioned above, but to include things like:
a)  Smoking wood did NOT include peanut vines
b)  Brisket rub did NOT include the powder at the bottom of a jar of Planter's Dry-Roasted Peanuts (which may be very good, hmmm!)
c)  No peanut chiles were used
I'm not going to list my two "secret ingredients" (umami ingredients; one boosts glutamates and the other boosts nucleotides).  I'm not aware of any food allergies with either ingredient.  
I'm not usually a competitive person, but I want to win this one (13 entrants).  Wish me luck!  

JRWhitee said:

I think I see the problem with your recipe you used "cheekun" broth instead of beef broth....just saying...