Chili Time!

World-class chili cook offs are coming to Sierra Vista and surrounding areas. There are some great venues, outstanding events and opportunities to sample the best chili in the world while supporting charity fundraising for local groups in need.

There are six upcoming local cookoffs, sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) and hosted by Sierra Vista’s very own High Desert Pod, a CASI-authorized member organization. CASI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for local charities. To learn more about CASI, go to https://www.casichili.net/

High Desert Pod has been raising money for local charities since the late 1980s.

The Southeast Arizona Regional CCO being held at the Kief-Joshua Winery, 370 Elgin Road, Elgin. There will be live music, wine tasting, food booths, raffles, and the faux "Chopped" cooking competition starting at 1 p.m. The four local chefs will follow a Chopped-like competition process. For a small donation, you can taste great chili. To taste, be at the winery no later than 12:30 p.m.

The Arizona State Open is also being held at the Kief-Joshua winery, 370 Elgin Road, Elgin. The same four wineries, live music, and arts and crafts will be there. In addition, there will be a “People’s Choice” Salsa and Chili competition. Be at the winery around 12:30 p.m. to get in on all the tasting.

The annual West End Fair Cookoff will be held along Fry Boulevard next to the Baker’s Dozen in Sierra Vista’s West End. To taste chili be there around 12:30 PM. Come and join us at the West End Fair for fun, food and music. powered by

The annual Arizona Women’s State Open will be held behind Paul’s Pub, 1805 Paseo San Luis in Sierra Vista. People’s Choice and competition chili tasting will start at 2 p.m. There will be lots of raffles and a 50/50 drawing.

At the same time as the women are competing, the annual Arizona Men’s State Open will also be behind Paul's Pub, 1805 Paseo San Luis in Sierra Vista.

The Granddaddy of them all! The 26th Annual Cookoff in Veterans Memorial Park. A great event, right in the middle of all the Fourth of July celebrations. For chili tasting, head over to the cookoff site around 12:30 p.m.

Notes from an inexperienced chili taster named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from New Jersey and was roped into judging a Texas chili contest:

“Recently I was lucky enough to be the 10,000th attendee at the State Fair in Texas, and was asked to fill in to be a judge at their annual Texas Chili Cook-Off. Apparently the original judge #3 called in sick at the last moment, and I just happened to be standing there when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) that it would be a fun event and a true taste of Texas hospitality. They assured me that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy, and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.” Here are the scorecards from the event:

Chili # 1: Mike’s Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
FRANK: Holy Crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it.
Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that’s the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur’s Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I’m not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off three people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to walkie-talkie in three extra beers when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3: Fred’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
FRANK: Call the EPA, I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano.
Everyone knows the routine by now. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest.

Chili # 4: Bubba’s Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Sally, the bar maid, was standing
behind me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. ***** is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I’m eating.

Chili # 5: Linda’s Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks!

Chili # 6: Vera’s Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. No one seems
inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!

Chili # 7: Susan’s Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment.
I should note that I am worried about Judge Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a damn thing. I’ve lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like brown goo to match my damn shirt. At least during the autopsy they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing, it’s too painful. Screw it, I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4 inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8: Helen’s Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell & pulled the chili pot on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor Yank.

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