Three Blind Mice wins chili cook-off competition
The staff at Three Blind Mice Irish Pub took a team approach to this year’s chili cook-off competition in Mount Clemens and found it led to the winning recipe.
In the weeks prior to the contest, employees were invited to cook their own special chili at the downtown pub with plans to pick the best one to be used as their entry for the 2015 Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off.
“We wanted the staff to be invested in the competition,” said Danielle Roberts, the general manager. “Plus, it was more fun to have everyone involved.”
After tasting the offerings, Three Blind Mice personnel centered on the Shipwreck Porter chili cooked up by Ron Upleger of Three Blind Mice.
Three Blind Mice came in first place in the Jan. 29 contest that included 10 Mount Clemens bars and restaurants. Orleans Billiards Cafe — a past three-time winner — finished second, Seeburger’s Cheeseburgers came in third, and Chantel’s Jailhouse Deli and Bath City Bistro tied for fourth.
Upleger said his slow-cooked dish included four kinds of peppers, two types of beans, onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and three meats — tri-tip, hamburger and shredded pot roast — along with Shipwreck Porter, a barrel-aged bourbon.
“I put a lot of love into it,” said Upleger, a resident of Clinton Township.
Three Blind Mice owner Brad Teagan agreed.
“Ron’s chili was amazing,” he said.
Earlier this week, Three Blind Mice officials officially received the decorative felt crown that goes to the winner. It will be on display at Three Blind Mice until next year’s event.
The event raised more than $2,840 for Anton Art Center and the Mount Clemens Goodfellows. Over the past 10 years, the cook-off has raised $28,000 for local charities, said Michelle Weiss of the Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority.
Reach the author at mitch.hotts@macombdaily.com .
