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Workplace chili cook-offs usually result in some pretty fierce competition.
Most require that participants make everything from scratch.
But not all.
Some pretty serious animosity can develop among those who took the time to make their chili from scratch when they find out that one of their competitors took short cuts (or just used canned chili).
KGW anchor Maggie Vespa decided to share the story of a chili-related grudge spanning past and present, and the reactions to her shortcuts, on Twitter.
Maggie's story starts off innocently enough.
I’d like to tell a story about the annual(ish) @KGWNews chili cook-off. It’s happening today, and I came prepared.… https://t.co/6b2OoVh9pL— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674323.0
A few years ago, still a nervous cub reporter here, I vowed to participate in the newsroom chili-bowl, scheduled fo… https://t.co/wkzYsXkof7— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674326.0
Forgetting about the competition isn't the end of the world.
Chili isn't that hard to make, right?
Vital to know: I‘m not a good cook. I have a few impressive dishes in my arsenal, but that’s it. Blue Apron was a b… https://t.co/CddiSIRFcf— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674329.0
Oh, that makes things more complicated.
So what did I do that nervous night? I bought 6 cans of pre-made chili, dumped them into a (borrowed) crock pot & l… https://t.co/VQM55ivTQW— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674334.0
Her deception didn't go unnoticed.
Confessing to the shortcut didn't help matters, especially once one of her coworkers texted her to ask for the recipe.
In a weak moment, I confided in @jtierney6 & a few others that my “homemade” contribution was anything but. They la… https://t.co/dl79EcLGGd— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674335.0
Now, none of that is the monster’s fault. But let’s be clear: he was not happy. He had dragged his poor wife to mul… https://t.co/8tFV0ll3n0— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674335.0
His ire is pretty understandable.
So what did John do? He exposed my fraud. Loudly. Angrily. Under the guise of transparency & integrity (spare me).… https://t.co/pbkT71ShEF— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674338.0
Apparently she didn't learn the first time around.
Cut to KGW chili cook-off, 2019. I, the girl who loudly & virally defended her pants on live TV, am not about to b… https://t.co/XQKHt5r4Hd— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674343.0
Not even trying to hide it.
Everyone’s required to label theirs. Guess which one is mine. https://t.co/W4icdkDmls— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674352.0
And people are apparently falling for it.
And oh by the way? The praise is pouring in. AGAIN. https://t.co/vL2MBQhy5c— Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie Vespa KGW) 1573674378.0
Folks on Twitter loved the story.
@Maggie_Vespa @KGWNews This is my favorite thread of the day. I would be so lucky to try your gourmet chili. ;)— Kellee Azar (@Kellee Azar) 1573677170.0
@Maggie_Vespa @KelleeAzar @KGWNews I want some of your Chili. I believe in you. I brought store bought potatoe sala… https://t.co/vGY7rX3J5O— Hischosen (@Hischosen) 1573886446.0
@Maggie_Vespa @KGWNews https://t.co/B6r4cqV8Jj— Angelica Thornton (@Angelica Thornton) 1573675149.0
@Maggie_Vespa @KGWNews I applaud your storytelling skills AND your office’s prowess and general thoughtfulness in p… https://t.co/jSDcHCZcJU— Angela (@Angela) 1573693588.0
Several even asked for a photo of the can so they could try it!
@Maggie_Vespa Can you take a picture of the can & post it on Twitter so I can perpetrate this fraud on my family, p… https://t.co/z95l35HQqB— Chris #ThereIsNoBottom 🌊 (@Chris #ThereIsNoBottom 🌊) 1573747948.0
@Maggie_Vespa Please tweet a photo of the can! I want to make sure I get the right can the next time I'm at Trader… https://t.co/nLeC1tUhPK— Lies over the ocean (@Lies over the ocean) 1573696680.0
@Maggie_Vespa @KGWNews You are my kind of girl! Now I want to go to Trader Joe’s and try this chili— Brittany Range (@Brittany Range) 1573796285.0
@Maggie_Vespa @KGWNews Yummmm!!!! Would love to know more😍— EasycookingwithMolly (@EasycookingwithMolly) 1573712259.0
Apparently cheating in chili competitions is not uncommon.
@Maggie_Vespa @KGWNews At @DeptVetAffairs national center 4 patient safety, we have an annual fundraiser chili cook… https://t.co/E1d6C9FZZg— Hasan Shanawani MD (@Hasan Shanawani MD) 1573746279.0
Chili really isn't difficult to make as long as you have time to let it simmer in the slow cooker. Points to Maggie for sticking with her canned substitute just for the joke though.
If you'd like to try your hand at making chili, the book The Chili Cookbook: A History of the One-Pot Classic, with Cook-off Worthy Recipes from Three-Bean to Four-Alarm and Con Carne to Vegetarian is available here.