TOLBERT COOKOFFS AS OF JANUARY 22, 2008

* Means cookoff date is still tentative

JAN 26 - SAN MIGUEL DE AL, MX - First International Chili Cookoff of San Miguel de Allende. TOLBERT. Benefits: Disabled children, proceeds are tax deductible in the U.S. Location: Hotel Real de Minas (discount rate of $60 a night for participants see www.realdeminas.com). RV Park within walking distance of the hotel. Direct flights are available from Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles to Leon and Queretaro, both a little over an hour by road from San Miguel. Bus service is available from San Antonio, TX. One day drive south of the TX. border. Cookers and propane gas provided at no charge. Info: Mary Jones, 220 N Zapata Hwy. 11A, Laredo, TX 78043. mfjonesco4@yahoo.com; Vonage phone: 1-303-339-0280

FEB 9 - LOCKHART, TX - Cedar Hall 2nd Annual Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Benefits: Special Olympics. Location: 1721 South Commerce St, FM 1322 S. Camping, no hookups. Other events. GRIND ONLY. Turn in: Margarita-11, Potato Salad-11:30, Wings-Noon, Beans-1, Chili-2, Brisket-4. Entry fee: Chili & Brisket-$15 each, Beans & BBQ Chicken Wings (20pc)-$10 each, Margarita & Potato Salad-$5 each. Info: Tom & Jill Burrows 512-620-0196 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

FEB 16 - BASTROP, TX - Bastrop Country First Responders Cookoff. TOLBERT. Benefits: Bastrop County First Responders. Location: American Legion 533 on Loop 150 East. Also CTBA BBQ cookoff, $1,200 payout for 4 categories. Camping, no hookups. GRIND ONLY. Turn in: Beans-Noon, Chili-2. Entry fee: Chili-$15, Beans-$10, payable to Bastrop County First Responders. Info: Lori Coody 512-809-0325 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795
Info: Lori Coody 512-809-0325

FEB 23 - LULING, TX - American Legion Post 177 Cookoff. TOLBERT. Benefits: Legion charities. Location: 215 East Davis St. Camping no hookups. GRIND ONLY. Turn in: Beans-1, Chili-2, Ribs-3, Brisket-4. Entry fee: Chili & Brisket-$15each, Beans & Ribs-$10, payable to Legion Post 177. Info: Judy Moore at Legion 830-875-9329 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

MAR 1 - MAXDALE, TX - Tolbert Men's State Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also Sunday cookoff. Info: Ken Sperry 254-690-3134

MAR 2 - MAXDALE, TX - Brazilian Open Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also Saturday cookoff. Info: Ken Sperry 254-690-3134

MAR 8 - GLEN ROSE, TX - Relay for Life BBQ & Chili Cook-off. TOLBERT. Benefits: American Cancer Society. Location: Tres Rios River Ranch. Turn in: Bloody Mary-10, Margaritas & Salsa-10:30, Pinto Beans-11, Fruit Cobbler-11:30, Chicken-Noon, Pork Butt-12:30, Spare Ribs-1, Brisket-1:30, Chili-2:30. Entry fee: Drinks, Salsa, Beans and Cobbler-$5 each, BBQ-$10 per category, Chili-$15. Info: Lori Nunex, 5713 County Road 1022, Joshua, TX 76058. 817-781-5082 or schoolofhope@yahoo.com

MAR 22 - LOCKHART, TX - Al Hopkins Tolbert Texas State Chili Championship. TOLBERT. Benefits: CTTCG and "Behind the Store." Location: City Park, 504 East City Park Rd. Camping, no hookups. GRIND ONLY. Turn in: Bloody Mary's-Noon, Beans-1, Ribs-12:30, Chili-2, Brisket-3:30. Entry fee: Chili & Brisket-$15 each, Beans& Pork ribs-$10 each, Bloody Mary-$5, payable to Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group. Info: Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795 or Dwight Hamilton 512-507-4948

MAR 29 - MAXDALE, TX - W.C. Walden Memorial Chili Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Ken Sperry 254-690-3134

APR 5 - LULING, TX - 19th Annual Central Texas Oil Patch Museum Roughneck BBQ & Chili Cookoff. TOLBERT. IBCA BBQ. Info: Trey Bailey 830-875-3214

APR 5 - MINERAL WELLS, TX - VFW 2399 Chili Cook Off. TOLBERT. Location: 1400 SE Veterans of Foreign Wars St. Best Pit contest. Turn in: Bloody Mary's-10:30, Beans-11, Dutch Oven Main Dish-11:30, Chicken & Brisket-Noon, Dutch Oven Desert-12:30, Pork Butt & Ribs-1, Bread-1:30, Chili-2. Entry fee: Bloody Mary's-$5, Beans-$10, Chili-$15, BBQ & Dutch Oven-$15 per category. Info: 940-745-0898 or 940-325-1470 or vfwqm@suddenlinkmail.com

APR 12 - ROCKNE, TX - Ernest Bartsch Memorial Chili Cookoff. TOLBERT. Location: VFW Post, 1503 Hwy 20, from Austin, take 71 towards Bastrop, Right on Hwy 20, approx 7 mi on left. Also Sunday cookoffs. Camping, no hookups. Turn in: Margaritas-11, Open Meat-Noon, Beans-1, Chili-2, Ribs-3:30, Brisket-4, Martini's-4:30. Entry fee: Chili & each BBQ category-$15, Pinto Beans-$10, Margaritas & Martini's-$5 each. Click HERE for Flyer.  Info: Debbi Tucker 512-303-1888 or charlieosalsa@yahoo.com

APR 13 - ROCKNE, TX - Ernest Bartsch Memorial Chili Cookoff. TOLBERT. Location: VFW Post, 1503 Hwy 20, from Austin, take 71 towards Bastrop, Right on Hwy 20, approx 7 mi on left. Also Saturday cookoffs. Camping, no hookups. Turn in: Bloody Mary's-11, Chili-Noon. Entry fee: Chili-$15, Bloody Mary's-$5. Info: Debbi Tucker 512-303-1888 or charlieosalsa@yahoo.com

APR 19 - LOCKHART, TX - Larrys Roadhouse Spring Fling Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

APR 19 - STRAWN, TX - Smoke on the Water Chili & BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Benefits: Sportsman's World Volunteer Fire Dept. Location: Off 16, Sportsman's World Pavilion, Possum Kingdom Lake. Limited hookups. Also Beans, Dessert, Salsa, Chicken, Pork Butt, Pork Ribs, Brisket. Turn in: Chili 3:30. Info: Coda Riley 817-991-4225 or codril@texasisp.com

APR 19* - WEATHERFORD, TX - VFW 4746 Spring Fling Chili & Bar-B-Q Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also BBQ. Info: Vick Graham 817-239-1135

APR 26 - BUDA, TX - Buda Lions Club 9th Annual Country Fair and Cookoff. TOLBERT. Benefits: Buda Lions Club. Location: Buda City Park. During Buda Lions Club Country Fair & Wierner Dog Races. Chili space 15 X 15, $5 for extra spaces, BBQ space 40 X 40. Entry fee: Chili-$15, BBQ $100 (Brisket, Pork Ribs, Poultry), Jackpot Beans-$10, payable to: Buda Lions, ATTN: Keith Handrick, PO Box 1034, Buda, TX 78610-1034. Info: Keith Handrick 512-312-1858 or BBQ contact Frankie Hoch 512-971-0355

MAY 3 - BASTROP, TX - 4th Annual Lone Oak Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also BBQ cookoff. Info: Lone Oak 512-321-0016

MAY 3 - FORT STOCKTON, TX - Cinco de Mayo Cookoff. TOLBERT. Details later. Info: Fredie Capers

MAY 10 - MANCHACA, TX - 5th Annual I.P. (Sarge) Bell Memorial Post 3377 Cookoff. TOLBERT. Post 512-282-5664 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

MAY 10* - PALO PINTO, TX - 10th Annual Lone Camp VFD Chili & BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: 940-659-8352

MAY 17 - AUSTIN, TX - American Legion Post 83 SALS Salute to Veteran's Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: AL 512-442-289 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

MAY 24 - CANYON LAKE/STAR, TX - VFW Post 8800 2nd Annual Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also BBQ cookoff. Info: Post Clem Smith 830-899-2699

May 26 - Winchester, TX - Tolbert Memorial Day Chili Cook-Off - Under the Pecan Trees, click here for more details.  Info: Debbie 512.284.4097

JUN 7 - BASTROP, TX - Hwy 95 Lounge 3rd Annual Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Tentative date.


JUN 7* - LIPAN, TX - 7th Annual Big Chair Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Darrell 817-713-4059 or Randy 817-597-5197

JUN 14 - LOCKHART, TX - Chisholm Trail Roundup Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also chili cookoff. Info: C of C 512-398-2818

JUN 21 - MAXDALE, TX - 25th Annual Old Soldiers Chili Manuevers. TOLBERT. Info: Ken Sperry 254-690-3134

JUN 28 - ROCKNE, TX - 1st Annual Circle C Ranch Chili & BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Dwight Hamilton 512-507-4948

JUL 5* - HARKER HEIGHTS, TX - 12th Annual Fun in the Sun Chili & BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Lynn & Mike Barber 254-698-3892 or dbarber5@hot.rr.com

JUL 5* - THE BLUE MOUNTAI, ONT - 23rd Annual The Blue Mountains Chili Cookoff - Ontario Provincial Championship. TOLBERT. Norm Burrows 519-599-2888 or chilicooks@tcrotary.ca or www.tcrotary.ca

JUL 12 - AUSTIN/PILOT KNOB, TX - VFW Post 8925 Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also BBQ Info: VFW 512-243-8011 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

AUG 16 - PLEASANTON, TX - Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also BBQ cookoff. Info: Bill Havins 830-569-3841 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

SEPT 13 - BASTROP, TX - 4th Annual Stumble Inn Chili and BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Also BBQ cookoff. Info: Marion Hill 512-581-7949 or Mike "BB" Hughes 512-398-6795

SEPT 20 - MANCHACA, TX - A Lil' Ol' Country Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Dewey Lawhon 512-392-1758

SEPT 20* - WEATHERFORD, TX - VFW Post 4746 "Smokin' Guns" Chili & Bar-B-Q Cookoff. TOLBERT. Info: Vick Graham 817-239-1135

SEPT 27 - ROCKNE, TX - Last Chance Chili & BBQ Cookoff. TOLBERT. Click here for Details. Also BBQ & Sunday chili cookoffs. Info: Debbi Tucker charlieosalsa@yahoo.com

SEPT 27* - SAN ANGELO, TX - 32nd Annual Armed Forces International Chili Cook-Off. TOLBERT. Info: Ray 325-654-5562, Rec Camp 325-944-1012

SEPT 28 - ROCKNE, TX - 2nd Day Last Chance Cookoff. TOLBERT. Details later. Also BBQ & Saturday cookoffs. Info: Debbi Tucker charlieosalsa@yahoo.com

OCT 4 - BLANCO, TX - 38th Annual Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas. Benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Location: 2778 Ranch Road 32. Friday night B.E.An. Bash, 2nd Annual Margarita Mix-off, costume contest (favorite cartoon character), and cooks party. Dinner served by Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group. Side dishes welcome. "Girly Man Contest" Saturday 11 a.m. NEW THIS YEAR: 1st Annual BBQ Cookoff! Men welcome!! Chicken and Pork Ribs. Entry fees: Friday: Beans $5, Margarita $10. Saturday: Chili $25 (before 8/31/08, $30 after 9/1/08), Chicken $10, Ribs $10. Info: Susie Higgins 512-396-4456 or 512-558-1321 or Laury McCullough 512-301-5254. Visit our at website: www.ladiesstate.org

OCT 26 - FORT STOCKTON, TX - Hang "Em All Outlaw Chili Cookoff. TOLBERT. Detail to follow. Info: Hangman 432-290-0804

OCT 30 - TERLINGUA, TX - Last Chance Chili Cookoff. TOLBERT. Benefit: OTICCC.Location: Original Teringua International Frank X. Tolbert-Wick Fowler Chili Championship site, "Behind the Store." No points awarded, top 3 cooks qualify to cook at 2008 Championship. Info: www.ABowlOfRed.com

OCT 31 - TERLINGUA, TX - 25th Annual Original Winternational Terlingua World Championship B.E.AN. Cookoff and 15th Annual Original PEA Off. Location: Behind The White's Store just east of Downtown Terlingua. Plenty of room to camp, and everyone is welcome. Nightly musical entertainment. Also BBQ & Margarita contests, Golf Shoot Out and Ugly Hat contest on Thursday. Info: Friday Event's Director: Jimmy Smith 254-698-1081 or jimmy.smith@killeenisd.org or www.ABowlOfRed.com

OCT 31 - TERLINGUA, TX - Friday Behind the Store Texas State Brisket Championship. Location: Behind The White's Store just east of Downtown Terlingua. Plenty of room to camp, and everyone is welcome. Nightly musical entertainment. Also Beans, Black Eyed Peas & Margarita contest and Golf Shoot Out and Ugly Hat Contest on Thursday. Info: Friday Event's Director: Jimmy Smith 254-698-1081 or jimmy.smith@killeenisd.org or www.ABowlOfRed.com

NOV 1 - TERLINGUA, TX - 42nd Annual Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler Memorial Championship Chili Cookoff. Location: Behind The Whites's Store, just East of Downtown Terlingua. Chili Cookoff for qualified cooks, with a welcome for chili cookers from all organizations, such as Tolbert, ICS, CASI, etc. Nightly musical entertainment. See Thursday & Friday listings under Chili & BBQ for other events or www.abowlofred.com for schedule of events & bands. Chili turn in: High Noon. Info: Kathleen Tolbert Ryan 817-251-1287 or 817-442-8688 or tolberttexas@verizon.net

The Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler Memorial Championship Chili Cook-Off is arguably the granddaddy of all cook-off's in the United States and worldwide. The Cook-Off has been, and always will be, about Texas chili. One of the event's key founders, longtime Dallas Morning News columnist, author, and "Godfather of Chili," Frank X. Tolbert, probably did more to raise cultural awareness of true Texas chili than anyone else in history, before his death in 1984.

Entering its 41st year, Tolbert's daughter, Kathleen Tolbert Ryan, heads up The Cook-Off and carries Tolbert's Texas chili torch with pride.  Thousands will gather this coming November 1st through November 3rd, 2007, and swell the population of the tiny and remote ghost town of Terlingua, just northwest of Texas' famed Big Bend National Park.

The Cook-Off's primary activity is the annual Terlingua weekend festival which takes place the first Saturday each November. The Festival includes the "Original" Chili Cook-Off and "Friday Behind The Store." The event draws championship chili & BBQ cookers from throughout North America, as well as people who associate with these championships. The weekend successfully combines the tradition of the "Original," along with a festival atmosphere. Proceeds from the festival are donated for the benefit of the surrounding communities; these have included the Terlingua School Library Fund and the Terlingua Medics. The Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-Off, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501c3 Texas Corporation.

For more information on attending, competing or maybe just finding accommodations in the Terlingua area, check out our "Links" page, or contact Kathleen Tolbert Ryan by e-mail or give her a call at (817) 421-4888.

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