The Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc. (CASI) is an organization whose purpose is to promote chili and to raise money for charity, which includes everything from cancer research to libraries. Currently, over $1 million per year is raised by CASI for charities. This is primarily accomplished through CASI-sanctioned chili cook-offs held across the United States, as well as in several other countries around the world.

   CASI holds over 600 cook-offs each year. One such cook-off is the “Cotton Patch” Chili Cook-Off and Barn Dance held annually (each February) in Waxahachie since 2001 and benefiting Gingerbread House and Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center.

   With every cook-off entered, the chili cook raises and promotes awareness for one or more charitable organizations while accumulating points to be qualified for the Texas International Chili Championship, which is held the first weekend in November every year in Terlingua, Texas, located about 17 miles west of Big Bend National Park. 2007 will be the 41st Terlingua International Chili Championship.

   Chili cook-offs are a social event, as well. They are a way to make friends from all over the country and a satisfying hobby for thousands. Many chili cook-off competitors own RVs, travel to chili cook-off events, park their RVs near other cook-off participants, and have big potlucks during their camp outs.

For more information about CASI, go to www.chili.org. For more information about Gingerbread House and Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center, go to www.elliscountycac.org.