Area Motorcycle Club Hosts Annual Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser

SAN ANGELO, TX - Do you think you have the secret recipe for award winning Chili? Have you mastered the tricky art of making beans? Well, now is your chance to prove it. Starting tomorrow, Oct. 14, through Sunday, Oct. 16, the T-Twister Motorcycle Club will be hosting its Annual Chili Cook-off in Water Valley, Texas. 

One of the event coordinators, Ed Dailing, said, "We've been holding this cook-off for about 10 years now. The event will take place at Harper Park, one mile south of the convenience store on Hwy 87. It's a beautiful, shady riverside park, and a great location for camping. RV hook ups are available for a modest fee; primitive camping is free."

Dailing added that everything from cook-off, judging, etc. will be held outside.

"There are actually two small cabins with screened-in porches at the park, and we've rented one just in case of bad weather," he said. 

Also, if a big group decides to come out and wants to rent the other cabin, Dailing believes it's a $150 deposit, $25 a night; and, "if you clean up after yourselves, you get the deposit back." 

Greg Cole, out of Snyder, Texas, said he has his own unique set up, and is ready for some competition.

"We're just going to have chili and beans, so a lot of times, people who come out will bring their favorite sides like cornbread or Fritos," he said. 

An avid rider himself, Cole posted the Facebook event page noting it was 'created for Motorcycle Riders of Far West Texas,' but anyone and everyone is welcome to attend, as well as participate.  

"For this event, cooks will register at the large pavilion, and there is a $10 entry fee for chili cookers who must cook 5 pounds of meat. On the Jackpot Beans, the entry fee is only $5 and the winning prize is 50-50. Turn in time is 12 p.m. on Saturday," Dailing said. "I believe last year's grand prize winner was out of Big Spring, Texas."

(Note: Photo below features 2014 winners)

Dailing added, "Our Chaplain is in charge of picking the judges randomly from the crowd, who do the blind taste testing; and for those who come to hang out and eat, it's only $5 a bowl. After the winners are announced, there will be plenty of homemade sweets to bid on at the cake auction."

He said the last time one of the cakes went for $40.

"We'll also have a variety of cookies and candy, including [the] Peanut Brittle one of our ladies makes every year," Dailing said. 

He noted that the group used to do this event twice a year, but it's a lot of work.  

"The last fundraiser we took part in was the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association (TMRA) Cook-Off; we've been doing that one for 24 years," Dailing stated.

In regards to this event, it will wrap up with a Sunday morning church service. Dailing said there were around 50 people out at the event last year, but this year, the weather is supposed to be better.

"It's a nice park with great scenery, so we're hoping for a good turnout," he said. "This is an open cook off, so all cooks are welcome; it's a lot of fun." 

Partial proceeds for this event will go towards a charitable cause of the club's choice.

"We have one in mind," said Dailing. "We're non-profit and help when we can."

For more information, contact Ed Dailing at 432-288-3413, or Eddie Cline at 432-634-1980.