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Texas State Dish

Chili Adopted: May 11, 1977

One could argue that the beginning of sustained and "organized" Texas chili cookoffs began in 1967 with the Terlingua Ranch cookoff held on land owned by Carroll Shelby, the automotive designer and race car driver, and Dallas Attorney David Witts.

After that? Well, you'll definitely want to read the articles below.

H.C.R. No. 18

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, One cannot be a true son or daughter of this state without having his taste buds tingle at the thought of the treat that is real, honest-to-goodness, unadulterated Texas chili; and

WHEREAS, Texans continue today the tradition begun in San Antonio 140 years ago of making the best and only authentic concoction of this piquant delicacy; and

WHEREAS, President Lyndon B. Johnson commented that "chili concocted outside of Texas is a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing," and Will Rogers described Texas chili as "the bowl of blessedness"; and

WHEREAS, Texas has been the site of the annual International Chili Cook-Off since 1967 and is the home of the 1976 World Champion Chili Cooker, Albert Agnor, of Marshall; and

WHEREAS, It is customary for the legislature to designate certain state emblems in recognition of this state's great heritage and rich resources; and

WHEREAS, The beauty of Texas trees and flowers is represented by the pecan and bluebonnet and the mockingbird is emblematic of our abundant and varied wildlife, but the internationally esteemed cuisine of this great state had received no official recognition and has no official symbol; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, the Senate concurring, That the 65th Legislature in recognition of the fact that the only real "bowl of red" is that prepared by Texans, hereby proclaims chili as the "State Dish of Texas."

Chili became the official state dish of Texas when Governor Dolph Briscoe signed House Concurrent Resolution No. 18 (HCR 18) on May 11, 1977.


Sources...

"HCR 18, 65th Regular Session." The Legislative Reference Library of Texas. The State of Texas, n.d. Web. 19 Oct 2011. .
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.


Additional Information

Texas state dish
Cowboy dishing up chili
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division
FSA/OWI Collection, [reproduction number, LC-USF33-012209-M3]

History of Chili, Chili Con Carne: A history of chili from Lynn Stradley's "What's Cooking America?

History of the Terlingua Racing Team & the Terlingua International Chili Cookoff: Some pre-history of the Terlingua International Chili Cookoff by Bill Neale, most of it true!

Part One: In the Beginning: Follow John Raven's "The History of Chili Cook-Offs" in Texas, beginning with "Part One: In the Beginning." You'll want to go on to read:

A Bowl of Red: Official website of the Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler Championship Chili Cookoff.

The Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc.: Official website and sanctioning organization for the Terlingua International Chili Championship.

Terlingua International Chili Champions!

Year Winner From Recipe

Source: "Champion Chili Cookers of the World By Year!" Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff. The Original Terlingua Championship Chili Cook-off, Inc., 2011. Web. 03 Nov 2011. .

1967 (Tie) H. Alan Smith
Wick Fowler
Mt. Kisco, N.Y.
Austin, Tex.
H. Allen Smith / Wick Fowler
1968 "Wino" Woody DeSilva Ontario, Calif. Woody DeSilva's Champion Chili
1969 C.V. Wood Jr. Havasu, Ariz. C.V. Woods Worlds Championship Chili
1970 Wick Fowler Austin, Tex. 2 Alarm Chili
1971 George Wright Dallas, Tex. Recipe
1972 Howard Winsor Dallas, Tex. Howard Winsor World Champion Chili
1973 Joe DeFrates Springield, Ill. Chilli Man Chilli
1974 Allegani Jani Schofield Fredericksburg, Tex. Allegani Janis Chili
1975 Susie Watson Houston, Tex. Recipe
1976 Albert S. Agnor Marshall, Tex. Recipe
1977 Tom Griffin Houston, Tex. Recipe
1978 Richard Simon San Antonio, Tex. Recipe
1979 Wayland Walker Ardmore, Okla. Recipe
1980 Bob Moore Spring, Tex. Recipe
1981 Bill Douglas Garland, Tex. Recipe
1982 Tom Skipper Pasadena, Tex. Recipe
1983 Paul Brian Dallas, Tex. Recipe
1984 Steve Weaver Leonard, Tex. Recipe
1985 Wes Ritchey Garland, Tex. Recipe
1986 Bobby Aldridge Shreveport, La. Recipe
1987 David Henson Mesquite, Tex. Recipe
1988 Lynn Hejtmancik Spicewood, Tex. Pedernales River Rat Chili
1989 Barbara Britton Mesquite, Tex. Yahoo Chili
1990 Jerry Hunt Shreveport, La. High Octane Chili
1991 Doris Coats Irving, Tex. Out-O-Site Chili
1992 Cindy Reed Irving, Tex. Cin-Chili Chili
1993 Cindy Reed Irving, Tex. Cin-Chili Chili
1994 Jim Hedrick Roanoke, Va. Doc J's Chili
1995 Colleen Wallace Dallas, Tex. Sierra Chili
1996 Bo Prewitt North Little Rock, Ark. Recipe
1997 Glenn Dickey Arlington, Tex. Recipe
1998 Carol West Wylie, Tex. Recipe
1999 Bob Coats Irving, Tex. Out O Site Chili, Too
2000 Dixie Johnson Lamar, Mo. Bess's Best Chili
2001 Randy Moore Gulf Shores, Al. Randy's Fool's Gold Chili
2002 Pat Pilchiek Bluffton, Tex. Recipe
2003 Honey Jones Canyon Lake, Tex. Horseshoe Chili
2004 Roger Foltz/td> Mesquite, Tex. Roger's Recipe
2005 Margaret Nadeau Boerne, Tex. Sahara Chili
2006 Dana Plocheck Houston, Tex. Lady Bug Chili
2007 Debbie Ashman Bastrop, Tex. Deb's Hot Rod Chili
2008 Susan Dean Johnson City, Tex. Chilli Chili 2
2009 Margaret Nadeau Boerne, Tex. Sahara Chili
2010 Tom Dozier Irving, Tex. Recipe
2011 George Odom Manchaca, Tex. Recipe
2012 Ted Hume III Dallas, Tex. Recipe

International Chili Society: Official website and sanctioning organization for the International Chili Society World Championship Chili Cook-Off®.

International Chili Society World Championship Chili Cook-Off® Winners

Year Winner From Cook-Off Location Recipe

Source: "WCCC Recipies." International Chili Society. International Chili Society, 2011. Web. 20 Oct 2011. .

1967 H. Alan Smith / Wick Fowler New York/Texas Terlingua, Tex. H. Allen Smith / Wick Fowler
1968 Woody DeSilva Ontario, Calif. Terlingua, Tex. Woody DeSilva's Champion Chili
1969 C.V. Wood Havasu, Ariz. Terlingua, Tex. C.V. Woods Worlds Championship Chili
1970 Wick Fowler Austin, Tex. Terlingua, Tex. 2 Alarm Chili
1971 C.V. Wood Beverly Hills, Calif. Terlingua, Tex. C.V. Woods Worlds Championship Chili
1972 Howard Winsor Colorado Terlingua, Tex. Howard Winsor World Champion Chili
1973 Joe DeFrates Springield, Ill. Terlingua, Tex. Chilli Man Chilli
1974 Allegani Jani Schofield Fredericksburg, Tex. Terlingua, Tex. Allegani Janis Chili
1975 Joe DeFrates Springield, Ill. Rosamond, Calif. Chilli Man Chilli
1976 Rudy Valdez Palmdale, Calif. Rosamond, Calif. Rudy Valdez World Champion Chili
1977 Jay Pennington Rosamond, Calif. Rosamond, Calif. Jay's Chili
1978 Laverne Harris Las Vegas, Nev. Rosamond, Calif. Nevada Annie's Champion Chili
1979 Joe & Shirley Stewart   Rosamond, Calif. Reno Red
1980 Bill Pfeiffer San Antonio, Tex. Agoura Hills, Calif. Capitol Punishment
1981 Fred & Linda Drexel   Inglewood Park, Calif. Butterfield Stage Line Chili
1982 Bill Pfeiffer San Antonio, Tex. Burbank, Calif. Los Venganza Del Almo
1983 Harold Timber Taos, N.M. Rosamond, Calif. Harold Timber World Champion Chili
1984 Dusty Hudspeth Irving, Tex. Rosamond, Calif. Bottom Of The Barrel Gang Ram Tough Chili
1985 Carol & Dave Hancock   Rosamond, Calif. Shotgun Willie Chili
1986 Jim Beaty   Rosamond, Calif. Sespe Creek Chili
1987 Margo Knudson Loomis, Calif. Rosamond, Calif. Margo's Chili
1988 Kenton Stafford Fillmore, Calif. Rosamond, Calif. 7/8's Chili
1989 Philip M. Walter Seatle, Wash. Rosamond, Calif. Tarantula Jacks Thundering Herd Buffalo Tail Chili
1990 David Valega Bethany, Okla. Rosamond, Calif. Backdoor Chili
1991 Randy Robinson Columbus, Ohio Rosamond, Calif. Road Meat Chili
1992 Ed Pierczynksi Carson City, Nev. Scottsdale, Ariz. Doc's Secret Remdy
1993 Cathy R. Wilkey Seattle, Wash. Reno, Nev. Puppy's Breath Chili
1994 Bill Ray Riverside, Calif. Reno, Nev. Mountain Express Chili
1995 Norm Gaul Costa Mesa, Calif. Reno, Nev. A-H Reamer Chili Company
1996 Georgia Weller Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Reno, Nev. Southern Chili Georgia Style
1997 Steve Falkowski Hopewell Junction, N.Y. Reno, Nev. Gold Miners Chili
1998 Kathy LeGear Dallas, Tex. Las Vegas, Nev. 24 Karat Chili
1999 Maud Swick Bakersfield, Calif. Las Vegas, Nev. Zanjero Red Chili
2000 Jim Weller Bloomfield, Mich. Laughlin, Nev. Jim Weller's Macktown Chili
2001 George Swick Bakersfield, Calif. Reno, Nev. Swick and Swick Chili
2002 Ron Burt Lancaster, Calif. Reno, Nev. Warning Shot Chili - Runs for Your Life
2003 Bob Wetzel Manhattan, Mont. Reno, Nev. Bronco Bob's Chili
2004 Kathy Hipskind Lodi, Calif. Las Vegas, Nev. Dago Reds Wop 'n Good Chili
2005 Doug Wilkey Shoreline, Wash. Omaha, Neb. Dog Breath Chili
2006 J.R. Knudson   Omaha, Neb. .R.'s Rough and Ready Chili
2007 Jerry Buma   Omaha, Neb. Boomas Revenge
2008 Georgia Weller Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Elk Grove, Calif. Southern Chili Georgia Style
2009 Maureen Barrett La Grange, Ill. Charleston, W.V. Maureen's Almost Famous Red Chili
2010 Thomas H. Hoover, Jr. Columbus, Ohio Manchester, N.H. 2010 Happy Trails Chili
2011 John Jepson Merced, Calif. Manchester, N.H. John's Chili

State foods: Complete list of official state foods from NETSTATE.COM.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Texas state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.

With or Without Beans: An Informal Biography of Chili
With or Without Beans
Joe E. Cooper

With or Without Beans: An Informal Biography of Chili, by Joe E. Cooper. 247 pages. Publisher: William H. Henson (1952) A compendium to perpetuate the internationally-famous Bowl Of Chili (Texas Style). Not strictly a cookbook, With or Without Beans is a book of wit, philosophy, humor, history and whimsey with some "bowl of red" receipe's and chili making methods of various men who made chili including the comments and writings of over a hundred statesmen, authors, military men, journalists and humorists on the subject.

A Bowl of Red
A Bowl of Red
Frank X. Tolbert

A Bowl of Red, by Frank X. Tolbert. 200 pages. Publisher: TAMU Press (January 2, 2002) Written by the late Dallas newspaper columnist, author, and namesake of Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler Championship Chili Cookoff, A Bowl of Red is an entertaining history of the peppery cowboy cuisine. This new printing of the book is based on Tolbert's 1972 revised edition, in which he describes the founding of the World Championship Chili Cookoff, now held annually in the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas.

Foreword by Hallie Crawford Stillwell: For this edition, Big Bend resident rancher Hallie Stillwell has added her voice and favorite chili recipe to her friend Frank X. Tolbert's classic book, A Bowl of Red.

Hallie Stillwell was one of the three judges at the first Terlingua cookoff, held in 1967. "We were blindfolded to sample the chili," the ninety-six-year-old writer/rancher says in her foreword. She voted for one of the milder concoctions; another judge cast his vote for a hotter version. The third judge, who was mayor of Terlingua, sampled each pot but then pronounced his taste buds paralyzed and declared the contest a tie. There's been a "rematch" in Terlingua every November since then. "I have never failed to attend," Stillwell says.

The Ultimate Chili Cookbook
The Ultimate
Chili Cookbook

W. C. Jameson

The Ultimate Chili Cookbook, by W. C. Jameson. 219 pages. Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (February 17, 1999) More than any other food, a big ol' steaming hot bowl of chili is recognized as the premier Texas dish. This book explores the long history of chili, from the early San Antonio Chili Queens to the many different cultural approaches to preparing chili that have evolved throughout the U.S. It also includes fascinating folklore and over 135 mouth-watering recipes for this most favored dish.

Killer Chili: Savory Recipes from North America's Favorite Restaurants
Killer Chili
Stephanie Anderson

Killer Chili: Savory Recipes from North America's Favorite Restaurants, by Stephanie Anderson. 112 pages. Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 16, 2007) Killer Chili serves up the hottest chili recipes from 50 renowned restaurants in the US and Canada. Filled with savory secret formulas, including a beer-laden chorizosausage chili, a tempting Cape Cod seafood variety, a meatless Southwestern vegetable chili, and a rosemary-flavored Tuscan version, this cookbook contains old favorites, exotic new twists, and everything in between to satisfy any cravingfor a steaming bowl of red.

Texas Braggin' Rights: Winning Recipes of the Best Texas Cook-Offs
Texas Braggin' Rights
Barry Shlachter

Texas Braggin' Rights: Winning Recipes of the Best Texas Cook-Offs, by Barry Shlachter. 80 pages. Publisher: Great Texas Line; 14th Prntg edition (October 5, 2008) Winning recipes of the state's best cook-offs, includes dishes that took top honors at the State Fair of Texas, the Stonewall Peach JAMboree, Black-Eyed Pea Festival, and many others. 80 pages, paperback with comb binding.

Wick Fowler's Chili Kits: In 1967, Wick Fowler defended the honor of Texas-style chili at the first championship chili cook-off, in Terlingua, Texas, using the same recipe that goes into this 2-Alarm Chili Kit. Seasoned chili fans appreciate the full warmth of his recipe.

Ass Kickin' Chili Fixins

Ass Kickin' Chili Fixins: Includes a combination of spices that makes a bowl of red chili that's beyond compare. Masa flour, habanero peppers, pinto and black beans packaged separately and sewn up in an authentic Southwest cloth bag. To control the quality and consistency of our habanero peppers we raise our own peppers. Makes a great gift.

"We have been buying Ass Kickin Chili Fixins for a number of years and really like it. We have used for gifts to friends who want our recipe. WARNING: Use the ground habanero pepper packet sparingly. We measured it out and only used 1/4 tsp. and our chili was plenty hot."

Albert Agnor's Championship Chili Mix
Chili seasoning

The Chili House: Official website of Albert Agnor's Championship Chili Seasonings. Legendary in Harrison County, Texas, for four generations, Albert Agnor's chili recipe was the winner of the "Championship Chili Cook-off" in Terlingua, Texas in 1976.

All Seasonings are made fresh and mixed at the Agnor Family's historic Millstone Farm. The Agnor Chili recipe, a family legend that was made famous in their home town of Marshall by Albert's Mother, Dee Patillo Agnor, was passed down from her "Poppa," Frank Patillo.