A packed weekend…

On Saturday, we had our 3rd annual chili cook-off at the park.  Perfect weather for it, about 200 people in attendance, and 10 entries.  As usual, the winning recipe stood out significantly, with two entries that were positively awful.  During the tastings, my 4 fellow judges and I all took a whiff, got a sceptical look on our face, tasted, then promptly put down the spoon and pushed the tasting cup away.  It was the first time an entry scored a Zero.  We could only think that the cook had scorched the pot and boiled a dirty dishrag with the chili, so vile was the flavor and aroma.  Pity it was a "blind" tasting with us sequestered away.  The looks on our faces must have been priceless!

On Sunday our chapter of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs held a sparkling wine dinner at Poole’s in Raleigh.  A separate entry on this to come, as the meal and some of the wines were just amazing.  In particular there was a sparkling Pinot Noir served with lamb that was a perfect Summer red.

Monday evening our group of 8 had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Magic Wings Butterfly House at the Museum of Life + Science in Durham, followed by a fantastic sushi dinner at Sansui.  Our group of 8 managed to devour $421.59 (gratuity included) worth of sushi.

Our friend JoAnn was the object of affection of one butterfly:

Lady Wife also had an admirer: