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Temperatures will be soaring on
July 2nd at All Star Lanes Brick Lane, as the first ever Americana
Chilli Cook-off fires up, as part of their Independence Day
celebrations. London's most authentic all-American venue, in
association with online review site tipped, will see chilli-heads
from across the UK locked in heated battle, as the pepper powered cook-off
gets under way, to crown the 'All Star Lanes Chilli Champ 2009'.
Chefs will also win the chance to have their award-winning chilli as
a special on the All Star Lanes Luncheonette Menu. The efforts of
chilli lovers and food fans armed with Scotch bonnets, jalapenos and
Tabasco will be scrutinised by top London food writers and chefs
including Simon Davis, Dominic Midgley and William Sitwell as well as
Hereford Road's Tom Pemberton and All Star Lanes' Chef Steve Collins.
To add to the fiery food fun, the New York comedian Andrew J. Lederer
will be compering with his quick wit and chilli-loving tongue.
Contestants will bring their
pre-prepared dishes from 11:00 with time to add the final flourishes
to their spicy specialities before they set up at their individual
stations in the retro 1950's style Luncheonette for judging at 13:00.
Judges will have the tantalising task of selecting the best chilli
based on aroma, consistency, colour, taste, and aftertaste.
According to All Star Lanes' Chef
Steve Collins, "The meat must be good quality, have enough
fat, and have that all-round satisfaction. The chilli pepper must
have a kick that doesn't overwhelm the whole dish and allows us to
taste the variety of chilli. This together with the right level of
acidity/sweetness will leave us wanting more, even after we are full-
up-which is what chilli is all about."
Whether they use great grandma's
handed down secret recipe, specially grown superhot chillies or just
good old-fashioned trial and error, there's plenty of ways to make a
sizzlingly good winning chilli. Entrant Helen Graves says, "The
secret to a great chilli is finding the best way to get the flavour
from the chillies, not just the heat. I've got a few other tricks up
my sleeve too, of course, but I'm not giving them away - I want to win!"
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