In 1982 I got my first job, right out of tech school, and moved to Texas. I bought a cookbook titled Texas On The Half-shell. Then you could say, I caught the Chili Bug. I started experimenting with my own recipe and trying that of other folks. After 2 years I moved back to Kentucky, still working on my recipe. I was convinced that I could put together the perfect blend of spices to create a chili seasoning packet that people can enjoy.
Every Memorial Day at The Red Mile in Lexington the Memorial Stakes Chili Cook-off was held. So I got together a group of friends to form the Wild West Chili Team. The event was held to raise money for the Cancer Society and being as my mother and several of her family members had passed due to the disease it was a natural cause for us to participate in. Teams had to make a minimum of 10 gallons and everything had to be prepped and cooked on site within a 5.5 hour period of time.
We competed with as many as 65 other teams. We won our first year there and several other times over a 10 year period. We also won Best Booth design several times. The team members changed over the years but the enthusiasm was always there.
The only person to ever obtain my chili recipe from me went to Washington, D.C., entered a cook-off there and won first place. May he rest in peace.
So yes I do believe that through the efforts of others and our desire to be the best, I have created the best chili seasoning packet mix that you will find anywhere. Please put out the Word.
