Cisco hosts chili cookoff at Cambridge Street
BY MARLI GUZZETTA INDEPENDENT ARTS EDITOR
Cisco Brewers' Chili-Off will pit the professionals against the amateurs at Cambridge Street on Monday in an attempt to get people "fired up" about the season, said Jay Harman, co-owner of Cisco Brewers.

The chili competition marks the opening of Cambridge Street's "Cisco" back bar, near the pool table.

"We've dedicated the entire back bar to Cisco products," said Cambridge Street co-owner Trish Collette. "The beers, the wine, the spirits - everything."

Collette said she and her husband and co-owner are focusing more on local products this season, in order to support the island.

Cisco Brewers includes Triple Eight Distillery liquors, Nantucket Vineyard wines and the titular Cisco Brewers beer. Each entrant must pick a Cisco product to work into their chili recipe.

Our very own Peter Brace, who also works the door at Cambridge, is participating, using Cisco's Moor Porter - "A strong porter almost on the verge of being a stout, with a rich chocolatey/coffee flavor," according to the company's Web site.

"The chili idea stemmed from them making super hot food at Cambridge," said Harman, who added that the Cisco bar at Cambridge will pour small-batch beers that are currently only available in the tasting room at the Brewery.

Fellow "chili geeks" can sign up to participate and pick a Cisco product at the bar at Cambridge Street through Saturday to compete for the cash prizes and gift certificates.

On the night of competition, people can come free to judge from 7 - 9 p.m.

In addition to "People's Choice," chili architects will be able to compete in categories tentatively entitled "ass buster factor" and "HEAT."

Fired up, indeed. I CIISCO BREWERS

CHIILI-- OFF

When: Monday, May 9, 7 p.m. Where: Cambridge Street Victuals, 12 Cambridge St. Cost: Free For more information,

call 228-- 7109.