Chili, charity and fun
Chili cook-off in Goliad donates all the money to Silver Santa program
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Chili Appreciation Society InternationalCASI is a worldwide nonprofit organization and exists to promote chili and raise money for charity.
Contact Janice Miller, CASI executive director, to find the nearest pod. You may also join CASI for $15 yearly ...
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Chili Appreciation Society InternationalCASI is a worldwide nonprofit organization and exists to promote chili and raise money for charity.
Contact Janice Miller, CASI executive director, to find the nearest pod. You may also join CASI for $15 yearly or $225 for a lifetime membership.
If you go
What: Chili cook-off
When: Sunday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 3023 Camp Colet Road, Goliad
Cost: $10 for jackpot breakfast casserole entry fee; $15 for chili entry fee
GOLIAD - The organization of chili lovers who partook in the weekend's cook-off in Goliad sums up its slogan in three words: chili, charity and fun.
"And we have fun," said cook-off competitor and Chili Appreciation Society International member Charmaine Rogers, of San Antonio. She added that every penny the nonprofit makes goes to charity.
"We do not cook for money at all," Rogers said. "We definitely pay to cook."
VASA pod, a subset of the chili society, held the chili cook-off at Colet Inn Bar and Grill over the weekend to benefit the Goliad Sheriff's Department's Silver Santa program.
VASA pod President Lisa Bone said the organization chose to hold a benefit for the Silver Santa program to "help kids have presents" come Christmas.
"There are lots of unfortunate people out there who won't have Christmas," she said, adding that the organization holds to benefits a year.
Each entrant paid $20 to cook chili. A silent auction and raffle also helped raise funds.
The cook-off drew chili cooks from all over Texas, some traveling from Seguin, San Antonio and San Marcos. Competitors parked their RVs and motor homes on cook-off grounds and set up shop with ornately painted portable stoves.
A majority of the competitors are members of CASI, greeting each other by their first names and playfully taunting one another about who will win the cook-off - though many of them live hundreds of miles apart.
"This is a perfect example here of the camaraderie," Rogers said.
Rogers was a past winner of the Terlingua International Chili Championship, which the organization calls "the grandaddy of all chili cook-offs."
Apart from the camaraderie, CASI members appreciate being able to participate on the biggest stage there is for a chili competition.
Competitors take the cook-offs very seriously - many make sure they buy only the best ingredients and shop only at certain stores. Former champion Patricia Pilchiek buys her spices from Mild Bill's in Bulverde.
Some make a science of chili cooking and measure weather conditions to achieve the right taste.
Annell Causey, of Seguin, has entered chili cook-offs since 1981. Causey said she isn't as meticulous as she used to be, but often measures the temperature and humidity outside to adjust the flavor of the chili.
"When it's cloudy and cool, a lot of times I use more liquid," Causey said, adding that she also writes down how many cooks there and and how many go to finals table. "I used to be a little more picky about it and write down exactly when I did everything."
Despite their competitive spirit, the chili enthusiasts said it all boils down to having fun and helping a cause.
"It's just an excuse for everyone to get together, have a few beers together," her husband Don said.
"But make money for our charities, of course," Causey added.
Comments
Oh...that was the stove? Doh
November 29, 2009 at 9:36 a.m.It would have been nice to actually see the stove she cooks on...since the video was all about the stove.
November 29, 2009 at 9:34 a.m.Who won?
November 29, 2009 at 4:13 a.m.