Morgen Thiboult E-mail | Web site Morgen lives in southern NH and is the Senior Digital Media Producer for NH.com and The Telegraph. She loves learning and experiencing anything and everything about The Granite State. Her focus is to keep both locals and visitors up to date on upcoming events, attractions, new restaurants and anything else happening in NH. She also enjoys crossword puzzles, reality TV, driving with the sunroof open and a good margarita.

With the recent heat wave you probably haven't been thinking about hot foods; your stomach has probably been preoccupied with popsicles, ice cream and frozen lemonade. But, on the off chance that you and your taste buds are up for a challenge, I encourage you to partake in this year's New Hampshire Chili Week.

The event in itself is awesome, but factor in that NH Chili Week is a prelude to the 2010 World Championship Chili Cookoff, and you've got yourself one delicious and heated week-long competition and event.

NH Chili Week, September 4 through September 11, will be held at various locations throughout the Granite State. The objective with Chili Week is to sort out the best of the best when it comes to chili. Basically, a number NH's restaurants are vying for a spot in the World Championship Chili Cookoff. (This year's Championship Chili Cookoff will be held at Manchester's Veteran's Park on October 1 through October 3.)

During the upcoming Chili Week, hungry Granite Staters are encouraged to visit participating restaurants and sample their chili. The restaurants will offer a cup or bowl of chili for a discounted price and then ask consumers to vote online for the best chili.

Some of the participating restaurants include: Shorty's Mexican Restaurant, Cactus Jacks, T-BONES, Chiggy's Place, The Derryfield Restaurant, Billy's Sports Bar, Milly's Tavern, Wings Your Way, P.J. O'Sullivans, The Red Arrow Diner, Caribbean Affair, The Wild Rover, Ignite Bar and Grill, Penuches, The 104 Diner, The Barley House, 900 Degrees and Strange Brew Tavern.

When the votes are tallied after NH Chili Week, the top 20 restaurants will earn a spot to compete in the restaurant division at the Championship Chili Cookoff.

When October rolls around, the professional judges will be looking for chili with the beat meat texture, consistency, blend of spices, aroma and color. This competition isn't all about the heat or spice, it's about the overall taste and presentation.

Something interesting to note is that beans are strictly off the ingredients menu; this competition is all about the meat and no ordinary hamburger meat will due. Specifically, competitors will be using tri-tip steak, a part of meat from the bottom of the sirloin primal cut.

This isn't just any Chili Cookoff either; the winner will receive $25,000 along with the bragging rights and a trophy.

In case you're wondering, the World Chili Cookoff originated on the West Coast and this will be the first time the event has been held anywhere in New England. Manchester managed to beat out Las Vegas as a host for the event.

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