Evan:
A little known story.......
The basis for chili, as we know it today, comes to us from the English Lord, Sir Albert Chili (or AC to his close lordy friends).
CS was looking for a recipe that could be used in the International Chili Cookoff, as an Italian, Inzo da Endzone, had been winning all of the recent European competitions.
CS "borrowed" AC's basic chili recipe (tomaaaatos & chilies) and added meat and high-powered spices. This became the Shelby chili that started the ball rolling. This mix first sold for $2.89 and became known as the 289 version. Later, he came up with a more potent version that included beans and even hotter spices. It sold for (you guessed it) $4.27. It is the 427 version that has inspired generations of replica chili cooks around the world. Although, the Brits still prefer the 289 version due to their curved roads (?).
BTW: After his mother and sister told him they liked CS's chili best, Inzo dropped out of the international chili scene changed the spelling of his name, and began making red cars.
