YESTERDAY THE FARIBO WEST MALL sponsored a first-ever Chili Contest. I posted about this already.
But I have more photos to show you; I didn’t want to cram all of them into a single drawn-out post.
So join me at the mall as we grab some chili.
If you’re entering on the west end of the mall, just follow this sign, posted on the door of KLIK Photography, …
…past the Lucy statue to the crowd way down at the east mall entrance.
After you’ve purchased a plastic spoon for $1, with those proceeds benefiting the Faribault Food Shelf, peruse the 16 chili offerings.
Don’t miss the condiments served by some contestants. However, if you want a true, pure taste of the chili or you are trying to avoid calories, you may want to skip the enticing extras.
But do not skip checking out the table decor like this chili station tended by Hannah Plath serving her dad Jeff Langmeier’s hot chili. I would have awarded this table top prize in decorating.
As you’re served chili, observe the details like the pepper necklace and devil horns worn by Hannah Plath to emphasize the heat in her dad’s chili. Note the judge (Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism President Kymn Anderson) with her clipboard.
Keep a watchful eye on the judges (Faribault Mayor John Jasinski, left, and Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn) while they sample Kristen Langmeier’s chili, or any chili for that matter.
You can tell a lot about a chili by watching the facial expressions of those tasting it. Yes, when I sampled one particular chili, the entrant and his family (Bill Frogge, winner on the celebrity judging), fixed their eyes on me. I willed myself not to flinch at Frogge’s fiery chili.
Afterward, when they weren’t watching, I sneaked over to the water cooler.
But what the chili contestants don’t know…
Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What did you use to make the fire around the crock pot?
Karla, I’m sorry, but I only took the photos, thus can’t answer your question.