How a Radio Host Became a Chili Champion
Being a real foodie is not something Barrett keeps a secret. Everybody at the radio station knew it — the producers, the suits, the sales team, everyone. So when the city of Providence was putting on a celebrity chili cook-off, it wasn't exactly a surprise when management came looking for a volunteer.
"The suits approached me with a proposition," Barrett recalls. He was deep into his morning host run at the station — ratings up, audience loyal, name well known in the market. A food competition attached to a celebrity for charity? Made sense. Barrett's answer was predictable: "Well sure, why not, of course I did."
First time out of the gate. No prior competition experience. Just a man, a recipe, and a very strong opinion about what chili should taste like. The crowd agreed.
Word got around. He was coached into a second competition — again for chili. Same result. Won that one too.
The champion's bowl — Barrett's chili with shredded cheese, green onions, and cornbread on the side.
"I'm really not tooting my own horn here, but I do make a damn good chili." — Barrett laughs. Then pauses. "Okay, it sounds like a really big toot." The laugh track is implied.
The recipe itself? Coming soon to this page — along with some other all-stars from Barrett's kitchen. Until then, you'll just have to imagine how good it is.
