On November 3rd 2012. The Whitewright Grand Street Fall Festival will be host to the 3rd Annual North Texas Firefighters Chili Cook Off competition for the very best chili in North Central Texas.
We are sanctioned by and will be following CASI rules (Chili Appreciation Society International).
We are seeking both fire department and civilian chili cooking teams. With your friends, family, colleagues or all by yourself, join us this year.
All proceeds from the Cook-off go to participating North Texas volunteer fire departments to support them in purchasing much needed equipment or secure repairs, etc. Allowing them to perform their tasks in a safer and more effective manner. Besides, everyone Loves Firefighters & Great Chili.
Chili Sales: After judging cups are collected, festival goers are invited to the chili tasting’, for $5 you can sample all the chili’s.
Event location: Intersection South at Grand & Sears Streets, Whitewright, Texas
Host: Whitewright Area Chamber of Commerce 113 W Grand St, Whitewright TX
Phone: (903) 364-2000 Web site: www.whitewright.org
Point of Contact:Ella Fitzbag (903) 818-9023 chili@whitewright.org
Contestants: Anyone over 18 years of age.
Entry Fees: $20
Schedule: Setup: 7:00-8:00 am, Cook registration: 8:00-8:30, Head Cook Meeting: 8:30 am, Showmanship meeting: 10:00 am, Showmanship competition: 11:00-1:00, Judging cup turn-in: 12:30 pm, Chili tasting: 12:35 pm until gone!, Award Presentation: 2:00pm
Awards: 1st-10th place cooking awards, and three showmanship awards.
Application & Rules here: 2012 contestant registration info
We supply: 10’ x 10’ open-air paved space for each contestant, judging cups, 2 oz sample cups & spoons for the chili tasting.
Poster for your firehouse or anywhere:2012 Poster on it’s way
Thanks in advance for helping us get the word out!!!
Sponsorship Opportunities: 2012 sponsor, donation proposal Your business or organization can gain exposure and show your continued support of the community by participating. Contact Ella to learn more. We look forward to seeing you in November.
RESULTS FROM THE COOK-OFF 2011
The aromas from twenty-three chili pots made their way through the streets of Whitewright Texas last Saturday Like a magnet, Grand Street Fall Festival guests were allured to the cook-off area where they sampled the chili’s, voted for their favorite and bought raffle tickets for everything from an iPad2 to a skydive.
It was a lot of fun, the weather was agreeable and CASI* referee Jackie Grose from the Greenville areadid an excellent job of overseeing the contestants and the judging. Money was raised for volunteer fire departments that entered the competition – Bells, Howe, Savoy, Tioga, Trenton, Van Alstyne and Whitewright. Cooks who competed for the Showmanship awards decorated their cooking areas, some wore costumes. The chili was cooked outdoors from scratch, under open canopies where guests chatted with the contestants and viewed the cooking pots.
Howe VFD ran a little late because they had been putting out a fire that lasted four hours. The county health department gave a passing score for food safety. Contestants came from all over Texas, from as far as Conroe near Houston, from Denton and Greenville, local citizens and Boy Scout Troop 42, north Texas volunteer firefighters, CASI members who vie for points toward qualifying to cook in the annual Terlingua international chili cook-off, two corporations – North Texas Ag-Power and CTRECH Hilton Dallas/Houston – sponsored three employee cooking teams., and others who read or heard about it and wanted to give it a try.
There were three sets of judges. The chili judging panel consisted of twenty-one interested citizens, sheriffs, mayors and other elected officials, politicians and board members. Judging cups full of chili from every cooking pot was delivered to the chili judges at 12:30. They sampled each chili, cleaned their pallets between tastings and made not a sound or word during the judging. Each chili cup was accompanied with a judging criteria scorecard. The scores were tallied. Three other judges walked around inconspicuously and scored the Showmanship booths. Tickets for People’s Choice were sold to the public for $5; they sampled all the chili’s and voted for their favorite. The winners were:
Chili
1stPlace – Don Ryba of Greenville, 2ndPlace – Rex Jones, Dallas, 3rdPlace – Nita Rhor, Garland, 4thPlace – Rick Laribie, Argyle, 5thPlace – Rick Poston, Paris, 6thPlace – Troop 42 Boy Scouts, Whitewright, 7thPlace – Becky Brisco, Conroe, 8thPlace – Howard Jones, Pottsboro, 9thPlace – Don Moore, Sherman, 10thPlace – Scott Greenlee, Whitewright
Showmanship 1stPlace – Savoy VFD, 2ndPlace – Becky Biscro, Conroe, 3rdPlace – Van Alstyne FD/VFD
People’s Choice Becky Brisco, Conroe
We have already begun work on next year’s chili cook-off VFD fundraiser. Many thanks to those who donated their time, talents, money, services , merchandise and supplies. Special thanks go to the contestants, judges and event sponsors – Whitewright Area Chamber of Commerce, Lexus Park Place and First Choice Power. 
One thing’s for certain — electric companies in Texas love to talk about themselves. Sure, we could beat our chests with the rest of them, but we’d rather sit down and ask our customers what they want. They told us to listen. They also told us to be genuine. To get involved with the communities we serve. And to touch base more than just once a month when the bill shows up. They told us that along with fair rates, people want practical ways to lower their bill and electric plans that are simple enough for everyone to understand. So what do we stand for? We stand for you, your family and your neighbors all across Texas because at First Choice Power, we’re putting you first. Learn how to save & be safe: www.firstchoicepower.com/learning-center/storm-hurricane-safety.aspx
In the communities where we work and live, Park Place continuously gives of its time and resources for the betterment of our neighbors. Whether it is a blood drive in a time of need, the sponsorship of a local charity event, or simply “man hours” on a food line, we steadfastly stand behind our communities. At Park Place, our success has been built upon our ceaseless commitment to client service excellence. This is more than just a “catch phrase” for us. It is our pledge. We strive day-in and day-out to meet the needs of our clients in the showroom, on the service drive, and in the community. Visit us online to learn more about what sets us apart www.parkplacetexas.com
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We also would like to thank the following supporters who have donated silent auction and/or raffle items! With all proceeds going to participating volunteer fire departments.
Academy McKinney, Plano, Sherman, Ag-Power McKinney, Atwoods Enid,OK, Benchmade Knives OR, Best Buy Rockwall & Sherman, Columbia River Knife & Tool, OR, Dallas Cowboys Arlington, Dayton Tire Sherman, Erickson Dental, Las Colinas Irving,Exxon Quick Check Whitewright, Fiesta Spices San Antonio, Flying G Sherman, Grayson Hills Winery Whitewright, Green Market Sherman, Home Depot Sherman, Kidde Alarms & Extinguishers NC, Logitech Fremont, CA, Ornamental Sky Whitewright, Roberts Decorator Supply Sherman, Sheepboutique.com Van Alstyne, Skydive Dallas Whitewright,
Texas Rangers Arlington,
2010 Photos
