Lauren Hilliburton, 3rd, and Ron Faultstitch 1st, Chili Winners
in Hooper’s Chili and Gumbo Cookoff
The Annual Hooper’s Chili and Gumbo Cookoff brought cookers and tasters out on a cool and breezy October Saturday. Cooking teams from near and far came to compete in four categories: chili, gumbo, beans and margaritas. The event is one of many hosted by Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group a 501(c)3 who organizes cookoffs to benefit other causes and organizations. Proceeds from Hooper’s Cookoffs go to the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library. This cookoff was enticing to teams because it was sanctioned, and the winners would be awarded the privilege of entry into the mother of all cookoffs in Terlingua, Texas.
As the day progressed, folks came to sample the delicious tastings and perused the dozens of silent auction and raffle items which included an original John Cowan painting, a new ladies bike, a craft beer basket, a POC monogramed Yeti cooler, and an embroidered backpack by local crafter Rose Stringo. The fun reached maximum levels as Cookoff Chairman, Terry Wright spontaneously evoked the crowd, “PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE!, I’ve got a hundred dollars, who’s gonna match this?” Later one of the many delicious cakes donated by Hooper and won in the silent raffle was then donated for live auction. “PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE!” again cried Terry as he auctioned off the cake. The crowd swooned over the sweet and it went home for a whopping $200.
“This cookoff has been the best one of all” said Friends Vice President, Judy Whitworth. Adding, “Hooper went all out this year!”
“We are so grateful to the Tolbert Group, to Hooper and our generous community. The event raised over $4,500 and every penny will be spent on the needs of the library” said Ursula Price, Friends President in a later interview. “Hooper has been a huge supporter of the library. The cookoffs over the past 5 years alone have raised nearly $25,000. And all we can say is “THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!””
For pictures and the complete list of winners: http://centraltexaschili.com/hoopers_bar__grill_chili_cook-off_port_oconnor_10202018
