My first ever chili cook-off

Papa Tom gets started with John's chili, made with plenty of peppers and turkey.  The cornbread  is for clearing the palate between tastings.

Somehow I've lived in Texas for years and years (1971-74 as Baylor student, and  since 1978) without ever making it to a chili cook off.  This cook used her grandfather's ranch chili recipe that she learned from him when she was 5 years old.  I think some people felt like the cracker jar by the time we'd tasted about 20 different chili recipes with lots of spice!  The winner's secret: she soaks the peppers in Hawaiian Kona coffee.

No chili cook off would be complete without dessert: Pepto Bismol and  Tums!