Chili and Charity

Yesterday was the big Chili & Charros 5th Annual International Chili Cook-Off benefiting El Centro de Crecimiento on the grounds of the Hotel Real de Minas.  There was a big turnout, as might be expected.  There are lots of Texans here (they avoid both the cold winters and the blistering summers) and lots of interpretations of what chili should be.

In addition to judged placements of chili and charros, there was the popular People's Choice winner which is determined by popular vote of those attending.  Anyone can join as a contestant (there is a minimum number to qualify as part of the International Chili Cook-Off organization) and there were individuals, restaurants, hotels, et cetera who sponsored entries - about 40 of them altogether.

Besides a small pot of their particular chili for the judges, most entries also furnished tastes for the multitudes to enjoy.  Upon entry to the grounds each individual was presented with a small bag containing a small styrofoam cup, a plastic spoon, and a napkin (there was also a coupon for a 2-for-1 drink/beer at a downtown restaurant, and some other leaflets) with which to taste as many chilis as you felt capable of consuming.  There were nearly 40 to choose from, and we did our best to try them all.  We did arrive about halfway through the festivities and some were out of chili already, but we still tasted about 15 and voted for the Winner's choice.  Just as we arrived a bit late, we also left a bit early so we're still in suspense over whether our choice won the contest.

In addition to the chili and charros there were drinks to be had and a good-sized silent auction offering services, paintings, silver and tin works, objets arte, et cetera to the highest bidder.  We should hear in a few days how much money was raised for charity.  And the top three winners may proceed to the Grand Finale to be held in Houston soon.

Charities are a big deal in SMA.  There is so much need and many of the expats who live here are involved in one or more charities to raise money for everything from building and staffing school kitchens to provide hot meals, building simple homes for the folks on the campos who live in shanties if they're lucky, to educating young children with libraries, additional classes, providing computers and training to kids, and scholarships for high school and college, cleaning up the local reservoir, providing a no-kill alternative to the local animal pound - you name it!

The Chili & Charros benefited El Centro de Crecimiento (Center for Children with Disabilities), an organization which offers opportunities for children with disabilities to improve their physical condition, eduction, and self-esteem so that they can become contributing member of our community.  The Chili Cook-Off isn't the only fundraising event of the year, but a very popular one!

And in honor of the Chili Cook-Off, we're preparing a Chipotle Chili in the crockpot downstairs.  The aroma drifting upwards to our office are quite tempting - maybe lunch?