🏆 2025 Terlingua Chili Cook-Off Winners & Highlights

🏆 2025 Terlingua Chili Cook-Off Winners & Highlights

58th Annual Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert – Wick Fowler Memorial Championship
November 1, 2025 • Terlingua, Texas

We wrapped up another incredible year in the Big Bend with a celebration of competition, community, and chili. With thousands in attendance and over $130,000 raised for ALS, Terlingua 2025 was one for the books.

Here are the official results from this year’s cook-off and competitions:

🌶 Championship Chili Winners – 79 Entries

1. Todd Furse – Waco, TX
2. Andy Dalton – Del Valle, TX
3. David Lazarus – Killeen, TX
4. Sean Griffith – San Antonio, TX
5. Tom Stephens – Lockhart, TX
6. Pat Anderton – Royce City, TX
7. Gary Brignon – Corsicana, TX
8. Dwaine Williams – Livingston, TX
9. Peggy Hoening – Gainesville, TX
10. Doug Clark – San Angelo, TX
11. Bobbi Furse – Waco, TX
12. Janita Hines – Del Rio, TX
13. Brad Cook – Shady Lake, TX
14. Mike Cody – Mabank, TX
15. Gene Moffett – Temple, TX
16. Jimmy Rodgers – Denton, TX
17. Zach Powell – Denton, TX
18. Michelle Gardner – Odessa, TX
19. Linda Odom – Manchaca, TX
20. Brenda K. Johnson – Hewitt, TX

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🎭 Showmanship Winners

Unlimited Show

1. Tennessee Hill Billies – Dicky Thorpe, Shelbyville, TN
2. Cowgirls Kick Butt – Debbie Ross, Red Rock, TX
3. One Eyed Bandit – Ronda Haberer, Terlingua, TX

Limited Show

1. Wimberley Chili – Patty Wimberly, Austin, TX
2. Bear Whiz Cookers – Robin Crain, Crane, TX
3. Texas Red Ozone – Steve Strattman, Pottsboro, TX

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🏅 People’s Choice

Hilltop Amigos – Entry #3

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🫑 Mild Bill’s International Verde Cook-Off (Oct 30, 2025 – 61 Entries)

1. Kelly Walker – Marshall, TX
2. Kevin Foley – Galveston, TX
3. David Trice – Hallsville, TX
4. Michael Watkins – Richmond, VA
5. Julie Haas – Plano, TX
6. Jeff Henderson – Mansfield, TX
7. Christii Watkins – Richmond, VA
8. Chuck McCrory – Crowley, TX
9. Dianne Lewis – Boerne, TX
10. Brandon Marshall – Lewisville, TX

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🍹 Margarita Mix-Off (Oct 30, 2025 – 24 Entries)

1. Jacki Dale – Cypress, TX
2. Doug Clark – San Angelo, TX
3. Linda Odom – Manchaca, TX

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🔥 Very Last Chance Chili (Oct 31, 2025 – 69 Entries)

1. Lenny Buzzone – Dallas, TX
2. Sean Griffith – San Antonio, TX
3. Stephanie Smith – Cedar Park, TX
4. Gary Post – Grand Prairie, TX
5. David Irby – Wimberley, TX
6. Mark Klemm – College Station, TX
7. Michelle Gardner – Odessa, TX
8. Polli Rayburn – Terlingua, TX
9. Brad Cook – Shady Shores, TX
10. Rachel McGallian – Graford, TX

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🥣 Friday Side Competitions (Oct 31, 2025)

Salsa (45 entries)

1. David Lazarus – Killeen, TX
2. Unclaimed (#4276)
3. Herman Everett – Terlingua, TX
4. Wes Parlier – Alvord, TX
5. Polli Rayburn – Terlingua, TX
6. Eddie Ramirez – Spring, TX
7. Blanc Edwards – Alpine, TX
8. Jennifer Hanson – Terlingua, TX
9. Tom Stephens – Lockhart, TX
10. Nathan Maples – Tow, TX

Peas (28 entries)

1. Jennifer Hanson – Terlingua, TX
2. Rory Randolph – Christoval, TX
3. Robert Winterbottom – Cedar Park, TX
4. Haylee Loudenslager – Austin, TX
5. Sherril Lazarus – San Angelo, TX
6. Unclaimed (#2130)
7. Andrew Hamilton – Dallas, TX
8. Heather Hellums – Paige, TX
9. Debbie Hicks – Poolville, TX
10. Ronnie Voyles – Spring, TX

Beans (55 entries)

1. Linda Polasek – Rosenberg, TX
2. Unclaimed (#2197)
3. Todd Furse – Waco, TX
4. Polli Rayburn – Terlingua, TX
5. Jennifer Hanson – Terlingua, TX
6. Herman Everett – Terlingua, TX
7. Robert Winterbottom – Cedar Park, TX
8. Tom Kreutzer – Canyon Lake, TX
9. Gene Moffett – Temple, TX
10. Rob Cardenas – New Braunfels, TX

Ribs (29 entries)

1. Debbie Ross – Red Rock, TX
2. Gene Everett – Odessa, TX
3. Kevin Walker – San Angelo, TX
4. Pamela Randolph – San Angelo, TX
5. Jeff Jones – New Braunfels, TX
6. Richard Newsom – Marathon, TX
7. Dicky Thorpe – Shelbyville, TN
8. Paul Ryan – Grapevine, TX
9. James Wilde – Del Rio, TX
10. Fred Lazarus – San Angelo, TX

Chicken (29 entries)

1. David Lefler – Bardwell, TX
2. Dustin Land – Monahans, TX
3. Kevin Walker – San Angelo, TX
4. Todd Furse – Waco, TX
5. Nathan Maples – Tow, TX
6. Gene Everett – Odessa, TX
7. Robert Winterbottom – Cedar Park, TX
8. Zachary Everett – Odessa, TX
9. Fred Lazarus – San Angelo, TX
10. Crystal Baugh – Brownwood, TX

Brisket (26 entries)

1. Rob Cardenas – New Braunfels, TX
2. David Lefler – Bardwell, TX
3. Kevin Walker – San Angelo, TX
4. Gene Everett – Odessa, TX
5. Crystal Baugh – Brownwood, TX
6. Dustin Land – Monahans, TX
7. Danny Minton – Arlington, TX
8. Jason Polasek – San Marcos, TX
9. Jeff Jones – New Braunfels, TX
10. Debbie Ross – Red Rock, TX

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🥇 BBQ Grand Champions

🏆 Grand Champion: Kevin Walker
🥈 Reserve Champion: Gene Everett

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🎉 Thank You to Everyone Who Participated!

From chili to BBQ to margaritas and more — we’re proud of the community and spirit that made this year so special.

👉 Check out our Resources Page for full event documents, sponsor info, and more.
👉 Still want to support? Donate to ALS