Chili for Children held at Chop’s Lobster Bar benefiting Atlanta’s Juvenile Diabetes Foundation featured homemade chili from ten chili lovers.  Chops own chef Bennie Castro started the lunch off with his own Cuban Chili. (Caliente!) This btw was one of the only times I’ve ever eaten out of Styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons at Lobster Bar.

I, along with my fav Jenny Levison “Souper Jenny” (Atlanta’s BEST homemade soups & her Dad’s famous Turkey Chili!),

John Robinson of The Manchester Arms (check out his cool place), and Executive Chef from Bluepointe Doug Turbush sat down to “judge” what we deemed the best.

Colored spoons matched the listed chili’s in matching colors.  We all decided a cold Bud would be perfect to cleanse our palette between tastings.  Great idea!

I personally loved two of the chili’s that didn’t even place in the top 3 (and even Jenny and I agreed the winners weren’t necessarily our favorites.)  Everyone has an opinion you know.  The crowd favorite? “Tres Chiles” that blended peppers in perfect harmony.  (Interesting choice I thought since the harmony was slightly off key for me.)   Thank You to all who came out to support Chili for Children as almost $10,000 was raised for JDRF.  Plus, any event at Buckhead Life Restaurant’s is always a winner.