What’s cooking at Central Christian Church? Chili! Sunday afternoon was the annual “chili cook-off’ and 10 big pots of the meaty stew ranging from mild to spicy and from beef to venison were sampled by judges and the congregation making everyone who attended the event a winner.
A pre-selected panel of judges were given score cards to rate the entries on color, aroma, consistency, etc. to determine a winner..
What makes a good bowl of chili? Local dentist and two time winner of the Original Terlingua International Championship ChiliCook-Off, Dr. Ted Hume says Texas Chili is “meat, gravy, no beans, no fillers, spicy and can stand alone as a meal.”
Dr. Hume said “Texas chili.” That leads us to another question, “Where did chili come from?” Many people argue convincingly that it did not as some folks might think originate in Mexico in spite of its use of the chili pepper. The stewed meat potion was more likely influenced by The Lone Star State and other Southwestern states than it was by Mexico.
Our own Dallas millionaire, Everrette DeGolyer (1886-1956) was a connoisseur of chili and he found records indicating that the first chili mix was concocted around 1850 by Texan adventurers and cowboys as a staple for hard times when traveling to and in the California gold fields and around Texas.
It is said that some trail cooks planted pepper seeds, oregano, and onions in mesquite patches (to protect them from foraging cattle) to use on future trail drives.
Texas prisons also lay claim to creating the spicy dish. Prison lore has it that the chili in Texas prisons was so good inmates often rated jails by their “bowl of red” and wrote back for the recipe when they were freed after having served their time.
In 1893 Texas chili went national when Texas set up a San Antonio Chili Stand at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Before World War II chili parlors also known as “chili joints” appeared throughout Texas and other states. One of the most popular of those establishments again was right here in Dallas. Joe Pool’s Chili Joint was located across the street from Neiman Marcus and was frequently patronized by Stanley Marcus. In typical Neiman Marcus style “Mr. Stanley” often bought Pool's chili to send by air express to friends and customers across the country.
Wherever chili came from one thing is for sure—it’s here to stay. It is such a popular dish in our parts that it warrants “throw-downs” .and fun-loving competition heats up each year at Central Christian Church when members and guests bring in their special offering to set before the judges and to share with one another.
This year’s first place winner was “Two Kick Chili” prepared by Jim Clark.
Second place went to James Hull’s “Chili, Chili, Bang, Bang” and third place to Margaret Wilson and her “Texas Pride.”
Located at 4711 Westside Dr., Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is home to a community garden, a community dog park and a day program for adults with disabilities.
Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. and sermons are broadcast at 9 a.m. on WRR (101.1 FM) Sunday mornings. Visit the website and Facebook page at www.cccdt.org. All are welcome!