New Friday competition adds spice to annual chili cook-off
(Seguin) — The smell of the Lone Star State’s best simmering chili will be hitting the air this weekend as the Texas Ladies State Chili Cook-Off returns to Max Starcke Park in Seguin.
Now celebrating its 55th anniversary, the cook-off has become a tradition for generations of chili competitors — bringing visitors from across Texas and beyond to Seguin.
That’s according to Beverly Maricle, who is helping organize the event. She says the cook-off has deep roots both in Texas and in Seguin.
“This is actually our 55th anniversary of this cook-off. It started in Luckenbach in 1971 and came to Seguin in 1991. So, it’s the 35th anniversary of being in Seguin. And it is a long-standing tradition. We have ladies who come from all over the different states and not just Texas. And then as our community is growing and getting more people, we’re trying to let everyone know that it is open to the public. It is a family event. You don’t have to cook or judge. You can just come and hang out in the park with us and have a good day and see what we’re all about. And then, you know, if people are interested in cooking, they’ve got an idea of what’s going on, and they’ll be, better prepared for the next year,” said Maricle.
Maricle says this year they’ll also be offering a more friendly competition that also opens the door for even more cooks to get involved.
“We are trying something different this year. Instead of doing the Friday night meal for the cooks, we’re going to have a Friday evening cook off and men can cook in that competition as well. And so hopefully that will bring in more cooks, a little bit more revenue for the event by having that Friday evening cook-off. And again, being in the park this morning, I recognized some campers that I’ve not seen before. So, by allowing the men to cook on Friday evening, we’ve already gotten some more extra cooks that haven’t been there in the past. So, I’m really excited to see how this new thing we’re trying turns out,” said Maricle.
To decide the winners, organizers say it takes the recruitment of more than 300 judges.
Maricle says even people who have never judged chili before are welcome to be a part of this year’s contest.
“If they want to judge chili this evening, turn in is at 6 p.m. So, arrive about 5:30 – 5:45. And if they want to judge on Saturday for the main event, that turn in is at 1 o’clock. So, if we can have our judges about 1230, 1245, so we can get them seated and set up and ready to go. Any first-time judges, new judges, we’ll go over the five criteria that we judge on. So, if you’re inexperienced judging, just come out anyway and we will review everything and make sure that you feel comfortable with scoring and cut you loose on the chili,” said Maricle.
Most importantly, Marcile says the event gives back to Seguin by supporting a local organization.
“Thriving Hearts is our charity, and so we try to raise as much money as we can to donate that and help the community that way,” said Maricle.
The Texas Ladies State Chili Cook-Off will take place at Max Starcke Park in Seguin. Community members interested in judging can sign up online before the event or arrive before judging times on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon.
To sign up to be a judge visit
https://www.tlscco.com/chili-judges-needed.html