Great Peppers Bring the Heat to Austin

The 65th Texas Legislature recognized the fact that you cannot be a true son or daughter of Texas without having your taste buds tingle at the thought of the treat that is real, honest-to-goodness, unadulterated Texas chili and the same Texas Legislature proclaimed chili as the “State Dish of Texas”.
CASI – Chili Appreciation Society International continues today the tradition that began in 1967, in Terlingua, Texas, of having the chili cooks that make the best and most authentic concoction of the State Food of Texas in the largest chili championship in the world.

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 the CASI Board of Directors will meet with the leaders, called Great Peppers, of the 66 CASI chapters, called Pods, in Austin, Texas, for the 37th Annual Great Pepper’s meeting.  These 66 Great Peppers will travel from throughout the USA, Canada, and the Virgin Islands.  This mixture of business and fun will take place at the Holiday Inn – Midtown.  The purpose of the meeting is to further CASI’s mission of raising awareness of the true Texas “Bowl of Red” and to reinforce CASI’s motto of “Chili, Charity, and Fun”.  The meeting will include the planning of the 50th CASI Terlingua International Chili Championship, to be held on November 5, 2016, in Terlingua, Texas.

CASI-Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc., a tax exempt nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization, has as its mission to create and maintain a structure that promotes chili cookoff events which bridge the gap between local charitable organizations, the community and corporations.  CASI sanctioned chili cookoffs are intended to bring local communities and competitive chili cooks together to raise awareness of chili and raise funds for the local charities, while supporting the community with wholesome, enriched competitive cooking events.  CASI sanctions approximately 500 chili competitions each year.

CASI’s motto, “Chili, Charity, and Fun” describes the theme of our cookoffs and the positive environment CASI cookoffs create. Resoundingly successful in accomplishing our mission, since being founded, CASI has generated and donated over $30,000,000 in financial support for local charities.
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