Annual DPS Chili Cook-Off

With the exception of our annual banquet, this is our most popular event. Each year a desert camping location is chosen for this culinary event of dubious ecological value. A contest is held. The object is to compete to create the best chili in at least one judging category. Typical categories are Best Texan, Best Vegetarian, Spiciest, Best Traditional, Best Presentation, Best Overall, Best Runner-up, Most Unusual, & Honorable Mention.

It is possible to win more than one category. Who decides who wins? Well that is probably the best part of this contest. There are NO SPECTATORS IN THIS CONTEST! Everyone has a job whether it be organizer, hike leader, contestant (cook) or judge. Everyone gets a vote and the organizer counts the votes.

The festivities peak at the announcement of the winners. Prizes, compliments and insults (tongue-in-cheek) are administered by the event organizer to all participants. Special prizes and/or trophies are given to the winners of each category. At the end of the ceremonies it’s back to the community campfire for yarns, tales and liquid refreshment.

The event generally lasts for one full weekend. A hike to a desert peak is led by qualified leaders on Saturday. The Chili Cook-off always occurs on Saturday night at a primitive car-camping location. Another hike is sometimes lead on Sunday or participants can plan their own activities for that day. participation in the hikes is optional. One can come only for the cook-off.

Cooks in this contest incur a significant financial burden in producing the bulk of the food consumed on Saturday night. For this reason, a small fee is changed to the judges (non-cooks) to offset this expense. Most judges concur that it is a real bargain even at half the priceJ .

Occasionally the Chili Cook-off is scheduled near a holiday. In 2007 it fell on a date close to Halloween. A pumpkin carving contest was combined with the regular activities. The 2007 winner was Elaine Baldwin.

The date of each year’s DPS Chili Cook-off is announced in the Angeles Chapter Schedule of Activities and in the Desert Peaks Section newsletter, ‘The Desert Sage’. For more information about an event, please contact the listed leader or coordinator.

The 2008-2009 DPS climbing season will mark our 15^th annual Chili Cook-Off. please consider joining us for this festive event.