Chili Home Companion Hitting Empty Bottle Dec. 17

While Garrison Keillor may not make it down from Lake Wobegon for this event, you can bet a whole bunch of chefs and musicians will. On Dec. 17 between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., the Empty Bottle hosts A Chili Home Companion, a chili cook off featuring local chefs, both pro and amateur, competing for the title of best chili.

And it's only $10 with money going to support Graze, a Chicago-based food-focused literary magazine. Fifteen cooks representing different restaurants including Bite Cafe, Birchwood Kitchen, Jam, Revolution Brewing, Burhop's Seafood Market and more, will hit the Bottle while live music from local bands Cains & Abels, Angela James and Tin Tin Can will entertain the crowds.

Three judges—Hugh Amano (Food on the Dole), Martha Bayne (Soup & Bread founder) and Julia Thiel (Chicago Reader)—will name one batch the most outstanding chili. A/V Club editor Marah Eakin will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. What could be better than eating some chili while listening to good music surrounded by cool people all for $10? Go get your tickets now.