For about a dozen years, I have cooked and competed in the Southwest Airlines Annual Chili Cook-off, about one-third of the time it has been held. This episode of Red Belly Radio was recorded at the 36th and last cook-off. I interview long-time chili cook and reigning Tennessee men’s state chili champion Richard Knight, and Jim Powell, who has attended almost every one of the Southwest chili events. Listen to Twitter Queen Christi Day as she walks us through the play-by-play of the awards ceremony for all three chili cook-off categories (Showmanship, Chefs choice, and Judges Choice). 
Listen to learn the origin of showmanship at chili cook-offs, all about the double-blind judging system, why we call every Southwest Chili Cook-off “the last,” and why you should never use a toilet as a chili cooking vessel. (That does seem a bit obvious, but the story might make you laugh.)
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