My Dads Chili

No matter what the occasion, at any gathering, with friends or family, my dad's chili is always first on the menu. He has a secret recipe that no one knows, and its always the best part of meal. No one is allowed in the kitchen when he's cooking, so no one knows any of his secret recipes. But out of all of them, his chili is the most in demand for anyone who has ever tasted it.

Our family loves to have big cookouts, with all of our friends and extended family. Everyone brings something, but everyone asks for my dad's chili. Many have tried to imitate it, but cant come close. He makes his chili for everyone, hot, medium, mild, and not spicy at all for kids and those who have more spice sensitive taste buds.

I find it amazing how my father can get his signature chili taste, in any chili he cooks, in any way he cooks it, with anything he uses. My father usually uses beef in his chili. But as times change, and the way people eat has changed, with many people choosing to cut beef out of their diets, switching to a poultry or vegie based diet. My father has adapted his chili with the changing times, using ground turkey and other non beef meat substitutes.

My fathers chili is so special, not only because he is the only one who can make it. Also for the way it brings people together. Everyone comes over when they know my father is cooking chili, all of the family comes to be together no matter what else is going on in the world, or in their personal lives. Everyone will just put off the day and take a minute to just be, whenever my father makes his chili, it has a way of bringing a sense of calm to your soul, for me it gives meaning to the saying "food for your soul".

I always thought my father would be a great chef, the way he is able to create the most amazing tasting foods, with anything he touches in the kitchen. He likes to include family and friends in his love for food. He holds contests to compete on recipes, everyone cooks the same thing, in their own way. My father always wins, even when he tries not to.

He has never entered his chili in any competitions or anything like that, but I know he would win. We live in a small city, there aren't many chili contests around here. But there's always cookouts, barbeques, and party's. There is always a reason for my dads awesome chili.

My father never thought he'd be a chef, in his own restaurant, because he always just loved to cook. He always knew everyone who ate his food, loved his food, and that's why he cooked, out of love. So when a friend of his asked to go into business with him, opening a restaurant, he wasn't sure. But everyone is so glad he took him up on his offer.

Now my father can share the love of his food with everyone who comes to his restaurant. His chili is now at the top of the menu, at his own restaurant, for everyone to enjoy. He does have many other loved and favored recipes, but his chili goes wonderful with anything. As a main dish with a biscuit, his chili is the best on a cold night.

I am so happy for my father, I always knew his love for cooking would take him much further than our kitchen. Now is chili can warm the hearts of all his customers, and bring them all the joy it brings anyone who eats it. He followed his passion, and now he can share the most amazing food to feed the souls of all who taste what he cooks.