A Note from Sherrie Davis:

Due to circumstances beyond our control the the CASI sanctioned portion of the cook off advertised for Feb 21 at St James Episcopal Church in Houston has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

From Kelly Brignon:

“The NOW Pod is so grateful for all of our members, volunteers, and amazing chiliheads that came out to help and support the Gingerbread House and Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center February 6th-8th. We had a record turnout of cooks and the public came out to support a wonderful charity. We also judged 30 beans, 9 junior chilis and 11 novice chilis. We want to thank everyone again for stepping in and helping make this cookoff a huge success. We raised $2000 more dollars than last year for The Gingerbread House!!!! And now, the winners:

Friday Night NOW Pod No Frills CCO
57 Chilis

Lisa Duggan Many, LA (won her first stove! Yeah!!!)
Courtney Bowden Ferris, TX
Toni Bowman Rowlett, TX
Mack Walker Arlington, TX
Sherree Duncan NRH, TX
Mark Sanders Ennis, TX
Suzie Manske Arlington, TX
Danny “Duke” Strunc Ennis, TX – Q
Kay Lefler Bardwell, TX
Kelly Brignon Waxahachie, TX

8th Annual Gingerbread House CCO
97 Chilis

Babs Johnson Irving, TX – Q
Allison Ballard Waxahachie, TX (winner of the NOW Pod Traveling Chili Pepper Trophy)
Courtney Bowden Ferris, TX
Susan Dean Johnson City, TX
Tina Barnes Euless, TX
Blue Kriska Ennis, TX
Vicki Sanders Ennis, TX
Angie Slovak Ennis, TX
Larry Haskovec Waxahachie, TX
Cathy Preston Arlington, TX

We also had three cooks qualify on Sunday as well – Toni Bowman, Suzie Manske, and Blue Kriska. We gave away Wendell Rankin stoves all three days to the first place winners as well as raffling off a stove and five liquor baskets. We couldn’t have had a successful cook off without all of the great chili cooks that step in and help whenever and wherever help is needed (even extinguishing a dumpster fire!). The Gingerbread House staff and volunteers are the absolute best people you could ask for and helped run a heck of a cook off. Thanks again to everyone for coming out to the Ellis County Expo Center and we look forward to seeing ya’ll again next year!” (Kelly Brignon)



Instructions to Show Judges:
When you select your Judges for Showmanship, are you giving them the judging criteria and detailed instructions for judging show just as you do when instructing chili judges how to judge each chili? I believe that many of us seldom take the time to remind each judge what is expected of them.

In accordance with the Rule Book: "Instructing Judges - Every showmanship judge must be given an explanation of the judging criteria and scoring for showmanship" "A single score takes into consideration 5 criteria." These criteria are Theme, Costume, Booth set up, Action, and Audience appeal. "Showmanship judges must remain anonymous to everyone during the judging." "The official CASI Showmanship Judging Sheet ... must be used for the judging.

Showmanship qualifies for TICC also. We need to remember to give it the same attention to the judging as we do our chili judging. Take the time to remind your judge of the criteria and how to score.

May you each have a Great Day!!!!