Chili fans may want to keep an eye on the Wrap Shack's menu this winter, when there is a chance the burrito shop's award-winning stews will make an encore appearance after a successful debut at last Friday's Chili Cook-off.
The Wrap Shack claimed first and second place in the Nontraditional Chili category for their Jamaican chicken and vegetarian curry chili respectively at the annual Big Sky Chili Cook-off, which also serves as a fund-raiser for the Big Sky Association for the Arts. The Wrap Shack also claimed Best in Show for its island-themed booth.
Josie Bolane, who co-owns the Wrap Shack with Lindsie Feldner and Jason Luchini, said the positive response to the restaurant's spicy concoctions may earn the stews a place on the fall and winter menu.
"We don't really do soups in the summer, but they might end up on the menu or as specials this fall," Bolane said. "We had a lot of comments, and a lot of people said they'd be psyched to try (the chilis) again."
Bolane said the recipes came primarily from Feldner, who put a unique spin on other chili recipes she had seen. The Jamaican chicken chili featured jerk spices and red wine topped with cheese and cilantro. The vegetarian chili included sweet potatoes with Indian curry and sauteed vegetables.
"(Feldner) looked at some recipes, then went her own way with changes," Bolane said. She added that both chilis were in keeping with the Wrap Shack's menu theme. "We like to play around with different ethnicities and see how we can incorporate elements into other types of food."
Big Sky Resort received honorable mention in the nontraditional category. On the traditional side, the Half Moon Saloon took first place with Chet's Bar & Grill earning second; Moonlight Basin, which hosted the event in its Madison Lodge, received honorable mention.
Reprinted from The Lone Peak Lookout 9/9/05
