Everything you Didn’t Know but Always Wanted to Know about Chili & Cookoffs

A bowl of chili sits before you, its simmering depths holding a thousand secrets. Its warmth promises comfort, its aroma hints at spice—but what surprises lie beneath that savory surface? Each spoonful is a unique journey into an unknown of complex flavors, spices, and, yes, the exact level of heat waiting to spark on your tongue. Get ready to dive into the mystique of chili in our very first issue of Lakeview!

Everyone knows that Texas chili doesn’t have beans… but did you know priests in the 1600s hated the dish, calling it the “soup of the devil” because of its spicy and stimulative features? Today, of course, it comes in a wide variety of styles and combinations. You might even say that there are no two bowls of chili that are exactly the same.

Cookoffs around the world draw fierce competition and passionate chili lovers, each vying for the perfect blend of heat, meat, and spices. And apart from the world champion squirrel cookoff (we’ll get to that another day), some of the most famous chili competitions are known for their quirky rules—like outlawing beans in Texas, while others embrace diverse ingredients like venison, wild boar, or even chocolate to add complexity to their chili entries.

The ultimate comfort food, to local festivals and the grand stage of chili world championships, these events are a celebration of both tradition and creativity in the culinary arts.

And apart from the world champion squirrel cookoff (we’ll get to that another day), some of the most famous chili competitions are known for their quirky rules—like outlawing beans in Texas, while others embrace diverse ingredients like venison, wild boar, or even chocolate to add complexity to their chili entries. Whether it’s served mild or extra spicy, chili always brings people together with its bold flavors and rich history.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.