We recently held the 33rd Southwest Airlines Chili Cookoff (and my 20th consecutive cookoff to attend). This annual event is one that I (along with my roll of Tums antacid) look forward to all year long. The setting is Shadow Creek Ranch located near Ferris, Texas, which is set up to look like a Dude Ranch. Chili Cookers begin arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. to set up their booths and get the chili going on the fire. The rules for cooking are quite simple–all chili must be prepared onsite; no canned chili may be used for a starter; and no beans are allowed! (The latter rule is imposed by our Judges for obvious reasons.) As I began my trek from booth-to-booth to taste the chili prepared by the competition, I double-checked my pocket to make sure those Tums were still in my possession. Luckily for me, they were right there with me to get me through the day!
There is much more to a Chili Cookoff than the physical act of cooking chili. The Teams spend weeks plotting and planning their "theme" for their booth in an effort to take home the coveted Showmanship Award. This year's entries included "Cheney's Shotgun Chili," "Windi's 'We all had a hand in it' Chili;" Hillbilly Chili;" Pirates of the FAREabbean Chili"–just to name a few. As you can see, Southwest Employees are a FUN, creative bunch of folks! Many also perform skits for the Judges, but since this is a family blog, I won't go into any details...
Cookoff is sort of like other companies' annual picnics and Shadow Creek Ranch has much to offer for the whole family. While the parents cook away over a hot stove while sipping on a cold brewsky, the young 'uns can enjoy a hay ride; hang out at the petting zoo
; or visit the face-painters. There are other ways to stay entertained as well. The always-popular BINGO game is held from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and for a $5.00 donation, (with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House) participants get to play for fabulous passes on Southwest and other airlines. Personally, I tried my hand at this game for 19 years in a row without calling out a single, "BINGO!," so instead I chewed through the first ten tablets of my trusted roll of Tums and felt relieved that I don't gamble for a living. Another thing I don't do for a living is sing. Yep–I'm one of those zero talent; can't carry a tune; have no rhythm-type People. The only time I can sing or dance is after consuming a six-pack of beer or when home alone in the shower. But, there is no shortage of talent at Southwest, as those who attended our annual Talent Show will attest. This year's talent included a singing Skycap and Flight Attendant; a strumming Ramp Agent; and several other talented folks from our General Offices. Officers from our Company made up our esteemed panel of judges - awarding first place to our singing Skycap from Dallas.
After the Talent Show, the Chili Judges came on stage to announce the winners as the crowd gathered under the pavillion. Out of 17 entries, first place went to our Marketing Department; second to our Fuel Management Team; and third place went to our Executive Office entry.
As the crowd settled down, the music resumed and our Employees and guests danced the afternoon away. As for me, I chewed the last two tabs from my roll of Tums and called it a day.
; or visit the face-painters. There are other ways to stay entertained as well. The always-popular BINGO game is held from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and for a $5.00 donation, (with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House) participants get to play for fabulous passes on Southwest and other airlines. Personally, I tried my hand at this game for 19 years in a row without calling out a single, "BINGO!," so instead I chewed through the first ten tablets of my trusted roll of Tums and felt relieved that I don't gamble for a living. Another thing I don't do for a living is sing. Yep–I'm one of those zero talent; can't carry a tune; have no rhythm-type People. The only time I can sing or dance is after consuming a six-pack of beer or when home alone in the shower. But, there is no shortage of talent at Southwest, as those who attended our annual Talent Show will attest. This year's talent included a singing Skycap and Flight Attendant; a strumming Ramp Agent; and several other talented folks from our General Offices. Officers from our Company made up our esteemed panel of judges - awarding first place to our singing Skycap from Dallas.
After the Talent Show, the Chili Judges came on stage to announce the winners as the crowd gathered under the pavillion. Out of 17 entries, first place went to our Marketing Department; second to our Fuel Management Team; and third place went to our Executive Office entry.
As the crowd settled down, the music resumed and our Employees and guests danced the afternoon away. As for me, I chewed the last two tabs from my roll of Tums and called it a day.
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