Warm up with the Chili Cup

I recently taught myself to make chili. I bought ground turkey, a ton of veggies and got to work chopping and cooking, combining chicken broth, an assortment of beans and spices in a giant pot on my very small stove. Though I'm no chili aficionado, I think my concoction came out pretty well. Regardless, I have a new found respect for the chefs who artfully devise chili variations -- it's tough work!

Which is why when I got wind of the "Chili Cup," hosted by Ned Devine's and featuring chilis from more than a dozen Boston restaurants, my interest immediately spiked, and of course, my stomach started to growl.

A $20 admission fee includes all you can eat chili samples (gotta taste all 15, right?) plus two drink tickets -- good for a Corona or Don Julio, both of whom are sponsoring this third annual cook off. Show up for the 6 PM VIP hour (included in regular admission) and you can partake in an exclusive Don Julio tasting. A raffle, with prizes that include a night at the Lenox and Red Hot Chili Pepper tickets, will also be taking place -- Ned's will donate all proceeds to Community Work Services, an organization which works to provide job training, placement, and support services for adults.

Aside from Ned's, other participants include chefs from The Harp, Game On!, Dillon's, Church, The Greatest Bar, Cask n' Flagon, Anthem Kitchen + Bar, Flat Iron Tapas Bar & Lounge, Porters Bar and Grill, The North Star, Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar, The Grand Canal, and Joe Sent Me.

So head to Ned's on Thursday, February 16th. Nothing beats a steaming cup of chili on a freezing cold day.