my love affair with chili

Mackenzie Hall

My love affair with chili began when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta. I lived in residence my first two years and, as part of the meal plan, we were given phoney money called "script" (it looked kinda like Canadian Tire Money).

We could use this money in the main cafeteria in the residence or we could use it in any approved cafeteria on campus. This was handy because you really didn't want to trek back to the residence during the day just to have lunch, especially when it was -30C.

Most of my lectures in my first year were located on campus in either the Central Academic Building (CAB) or one of the adjoining buildings (Physics, Chemistry and Biology). CAB had a large cafeteria, probably the largest on campus, and that's where I ate my lunch most days.

Central Academic Building

The CAB cafeteria made an awesome chili. It was warm, tasty, came with a bun and hit the spot on a cold winter day (which was most days in Edmonton). It was also inexpensive, so fit the budget just right. It got to the point that I would have chili almost everyday. I did this for the better part of two years and afterwards I was hooked.

Since then, if I am in a cafeteria/restaurant for lunch, and it has chili as a menu option, I chose the chili.

When the kids were younger I use to make dinner every Sunday as a way of giving Lorri a break. Since I am not what you would call a culinary expert, I had to make something simple. Over time I perfected what I called "Dad's Famous Chili." I played with different spices until I got the recipe just right. I even used my recipe in a ward chili cook-off and won!

The chili love affair continues. As most of you know, my office is located in a building that has a Grandma Lee's Restaurant.

I have come to love their chill as a staple for lunch. I eat there so often that the staff start preparing my chili lunch as soon as they see me walking in. How predictable is that. Every once in a while I purposely order an egg salad sandwich, just to throw them off.

I guess my love of chill is hard to conceal, because for Christmas Sara gave me gift certificates to Grandma Lee's.