This podcast has everything! It is historic, folkloric, and botanic; has elements of sporting, eating and cooking; and don’t forget the elements of mystery, endurance, feats of strength, and espionage. Well, okay, maybe not feats of strength. I am of course talking about the 35th and last Southwest Airlines chili cook-off. This is a wonderful event and is typically my favorite day of the year.

In addition to my color commentary about competitive chili cooking, you will meet JD Barham, owner of an 1889 Studebaker chuck wagon that was used on the cattle trails (pictured-JD in the red apron). When he told me it was a Studebaker, at first I thought he was joking. I looked it up and the Studebaker car company began making mining wagons in the 1852. Who knew?

I talk with some Employees who work in our SOS group (Source of Support) and do a play-by-play of the announcement winners. Listen to see if I can crack the top five of the Southwest chili cooks. Spoiler alert! The winners are listed below!

Chili Winners
1st Place Cargo Operations
2nd Place Facilities Maintenance
3rd Place Finance/Maintenance
4th Place Inflight Services
5th Place Marketing

Showmanship
1st Place Executive Office “Chili Squad”
2nd Place Corporate Communications “Mass MEATia”
3rd Place Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards “cr/rr TeLUVison review”

To learn more about the history of chili, I know I relied on its information, check out WhatsCookingAmerica.net

I mention The Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) in this podcast.

Or try this recipe of a friend of mine, Roger Foltz, who won the 2004 Terlingua International Chili Championship.