Cook mini-bios: John Brister, 1st Annual Buenos Aires Chili Cookoff

I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, about 20 miles from where they make Tabasco Sauce.

My cooking has been greatly influenced by my parents.  My father is in the restaurant business, and my mother is just a damn good cook.  He cooks more traditional Southern, and she’s a Cajun from the “squirrel hunting capital of the world.”

My girlfriend is Angela (San Telmo Loft), who I went to high school with.  We met again at our 20th reunion.  I moved here two years ago… for love.

I’m a movie producer who has overseen the production of 62 feature films.  I produce a lot of family films like “Soccer Dog”.  Peluca Films, one of the top production companies in Argentina, is my producing partner here.

We have 4 cats at home because we are shooting a family film entitled “Cats vs. R.A.T.S.”  We love them, but with all of the chili I've been feeding them... we’re changing litter all of the time.  They don't digest the beans very well.

We are looking forward to the Chili Cook-Off, meeting some new friends… and also doing some casting for the movie (people and cats)!