What if you went to a police briefing and came back with a story about award-winning chili?
The tale was irresistible, involving savory food, a good-natured rivalry and a satisfying victory accomplished by a persnickety deputy who, in his exploits as a chef, uses only the finest ingredients.
He learned from his mom — who makes a great potato salad, too.
Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Makowski is a 25-year veteran with the sheriff’s office and, a couple of weeks ago, he became the proud possessor of the golden ladle. That’s what you get if you win the county’s annual Chili Challenge.
“The county clerk’s office was the defending champion from last year,” Makowski says. “So to my knowledge, this is the first time that the golden ladle, as they call it, has left the city/county building at 400 Boardman.”
“So I get to keep it for a year, and then it goes to the next winner” which, he adds humbly, will most likely be him.
“You know, I’m pretty confident in my chili,” Makowski says with a smile.
First, it’s important to understand that, while he has no formal, written-down recipe for chili that he can share, he does have an overriding philosophy about the making of it. And that philosophy incorporates some of what he’s learned in law enforcement and what he’s learned from watching his mom in the kitchen as she prepared the family meals.
“We have a saying in law enforcement, when it comes to data and analysis, G-I-G-O – garbage in, garbage out,” he says.
When it comes to MooCow, as he’s affectionately known, and his World Famous Chili, only the finest ingredients will do. No packaged meat. He insists on custom-ground sirloin, along with chorizo and Italian sausage, six different types of beans and and the finest canned tomatoes.
“My secret has to do with the chilis that I put in,” he adds without offering any further details on ingredients.
His approach to chili cookery brings back fond memories. “I’ve been making chili since I was in college,” he says. “… I love my mom’s chili, and I love watching her make it and it was just like – I can do that, you know? I don’t use recipes pretty much for anything.”
He uses the best ingredients he can get his hands on, then he periodically taste-tests his handiwork while it’s cooking and adjusts the flavors until it reaches a state as close to perfection as he can get it.
“If I make my mom’s German potato salad, which I’ve grown up loving, my favorite meal ever, I don’t have a recipe for it, but I know potatoes, bacon, flour, little bit of sugar, vinegar …”
His approach to preparing his World Famous Chili seems like a good approach to other endeavors in life.
“Use the best, the best possible stuff that you can put in,” he advises. “If you’re starting with quality ingredients, it just logically means you’re going to get a better result.”
If you follow Makowski’s recipe, high standards applied to any worthwhile pursuit may earn something akin to life’s golden ladle — or at least personal satisfaction in a job well done.
That’s worth celebrating.
Bon appétit!