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It's a Texas tradition! The Texas Men's State Chili and Barbecue Championships will come to the Blanco County Fairgrounds on the banks of the Pedernales River in Johnson City for the seventh consecutive year the last weekend in March 2010. Each year, some of the top cooks from throughout the United States gather to compete in this event. The contestants begin arriving days before the event, scouting out the best campgrounds. The aroma of barbeque fills the air first, as barbeque cooks stoke their fires and begin entry preparation on Friday evening. Throughout the night, the fires are tended, the meat is turned and the barbeque cooks sit around the fires competing for the tallest tale of the evening. Chili cooks begin their preparations on Saturday morning. With special secret blended spices and chili meat (No Bean Allowed!) prepared, the aroma of world class chili joins in. While the gentlemen are cooking, great music and vendors add to the party atmosphere throughout the day. Excitement mounts as a loud "5 minutes" call is heard throughout the camp. When turn-in time is over, here and there, old-fashioned domino games of 42 pop up – another Texas tradition. Relax, tell more stories, taste a little chili and barbeque – and wait for the final results. "How'd you like your chili?" – "Does this crowd like their chili hot?" Cooks routinely second guess their own cooking as well as the palate of the crowd. Judging is over, winners are called and trophies handed out. Some of the best are winners, some are not. Often, a "first-time" cook slips into the winners’ circle. And for those that didn't win? Remember, "It's Only Chili" --- unless you are Texan, of course!
 The championship, held on Saturday, March 27, give cooks the opportunity to qualify for international competition through sanctioning by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) and the Lone Star Barbecue Society. Competition is open to all those who wish to enter. CASI is a 45 Year Old international association dedicated to chili, charity, and fun. Throughout the year, over 600 CASI-sanctioned cook offs are held in the United States and surrounding territories contributing over $1 million to local charities. Winning entries in CASI cook offs accumulate points to qualify in the Terlingua International Chili Championship (TICC), held the first Saturday in November each year in Terlingua, Texas. Texas Men's State is especially important because it is one of three sanctioned cook offs held in Texas that grants automatic qualification to compete in TICC (the other two are the Texas Open and Texas Ladies’ State).
CASI always welcomes new cooks to join in the competition. Who knows, you may just be a 'first-time" winner.
This event is fun for the whole family. All proceeds go to local charities and admission is free. Activities in 2010 will include cow chip shuffle board and 42 domino tournaments. Come early and sign up to judge – you'll taste some great chili. The Food Network is planning to film this year’s competition. Food vendors and vendor crafts booths will offer treats and treasures from throughout the Hill Country. For more information on this event, call 512-567-2835 or check the Johnson City Chamber website at www.johnsoncitytexaschamber.com for event and entertainment updates.
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