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πŸ† 2025 Terlingua Chili Cook-Off Winners & Highlights

By OTICCC and Friends β€’
Final Judges' Table

πŸ† 2025 Terlingua Chili Cook-Off Winners & Highlights

58th Annual Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert – Wick Fowler Memorial Championship
November 1, 2025 β€’ 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

🎭 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

πŸ… People’s Choice

Hilltop Amigos – Entry #3


πŸ«‘ 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

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

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

πŸ”₯ 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

πŸ₯£ 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

πŸ₯‡ BBQ Grand Champions

πŸ† Grand Champion: Kevin Walker
πŸ₯ˆ Reserve Champion: Gene Everett


πŸŽ‰ Thank You to Everyone Who Participated!

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

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

2025 Winner Todd Furse